What's ‘Analogue January'? The viral trend making netizens love life offline

If you’re sick of AI brain rot or drained out completely from social media overload, it’s time for some change.

To start the year off right, the ‘Analogue January’ trend is all you need; it suggests finding offline options, allowing yourself to disconnect from excessive social media scrolling, and spending some quality time in the real world.

Let’s find out what’s buzzing about the ‘Analogue January’ trend.

What’s Analogue January?

For a long time, “Dry January” has been a transformed New Year resolution, but in 2026 this cycle is appearing to be changing forever, as a completely new idea has taken center stage.

'Analogue January' is a Gen Z-led 30-day challenge that pushes people to develop mindful digital habits.

Instead of relinquishing the technology altogether, the focus is on gradually reducing the screen time and getting off with the regular checking, overnight scrolling, and internet burnout.

What makes this trend distinct?

Technology has become part and parcel of our daily routines, but only when used smartly for work tasks, organization, or everyday communication; otherwise, it becomes baggage.

With 'Analogue January,' people actively carve out time for offline activities: reading, gaming, music, tidying, conversation, or just quiet, screen-free stillness.

This amazing idea is simple: use technology when you choose to, not out of habit.

What’s online buzz around ‘Analogue January'?

What makes it an out-of-the-box solution for digital peace is that the one who practiced doesn’t feel at a loss.

Users on Reddit have been posting their comments claiming to have achieved focus, lower anxiety, and the tranquil acceptance of boredom, free from restlessness.

On the Reddit community r/nosurf, users have been sharing their thoughts about this viral trend.

One such user commented, “Start each day by going for a walk in the park without first looking at the internet or taking your phone with you… get outside immediately… breathe fresh air and see real people; you’ll feel better immediately.”

Another added, “Thank you!! I’m still struggling coz the first thing ill do waking up is checking my phone. Also I’ve deleted social media off my phone now, but I feel I would probably need it for work so it's always been there.”

Who started the "Analogue January" trend?

The term ‘Analogue January’ is credited to have been coined by a 31-year-old British content creator named Sierra Campbell, who lives in California.

Campbell first dropped the idea of ‘Analogue January’ in a TikTok video on her account, saying, “My biggest fear is that I’ll lie on my deathbed and regret how much time I spent on my phone.”

Since her post, the video has been buzzing on social media, with users sharing videos talking about the viral trend.

According to a report that appeared in The Guardian, the trend forms part of a wider backlash against a culture of online noise and the pressure to always be online.

The outlet cited an Ofcom report, the UK telecoms regulator, stating the average adult in Great Britain checks their phone every 12 minutes.

Separately, USwitch discovered that the average daily time among UK adults averaged five hours, in addition to screen-linked work tasks.