'Analog bags’ gain popularity among Gen Z seeking time away from scrolling on phones. What are they?

Supporters of the trend also stress that participation does not require new purchases.

A new lifestyle trend gaining traction among Gen Z has shifted attention away from designer handbags and towards something far simpler: canvas tote bags filled with offline activities, New York Post reported.

Referred to as “analog bags”, the concept centres on carrying non-digital items intended to replace time usually spent scrolling on smartphones. The idea was introduced by content creator Sierra Campbell, who shared a video explaining how she assembled a bag designed to divert her attention away from her phone.

“My biggest fear is that I’ll lie on my deathbed and regret how much time I spent on my phone,” Campbell said in the video.

She described filling a tote with items she could turn to instead of checking social media. “I basically just put everything I could grab instead of my phone into a bag,” she said, showing crossword puzzles, knitting needles, a portable watercolour set and her planner.

So Gen Z's new 'trend' is the 'analog bag.' It's basically a bag packed with stuff like paper journals and books just to avoid screen time.

They’re acting like they’ve discovered fire, but it’s literally just a standard Millennial bag. pic.twitter.com/KmK1cSsAx4 — aleafaR (@elatxxt) January 20, 2026

Apparently the trend this year is something called an “Analog Bag” It’s a bag full of crafts and books to carry around and use when you’re bored…, um…, I guess I’ve been cool this entire time because I always have a book and art supplies in my bag, and a couple hitchhikers pic.twitter.com/khl2EvffIZ — LadyVampAsia (@UntamedVamp) January 16, 2026

analog...bag.... pic.twitter.com/3N2x8HYSVz

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— rachel is cringe (@rickit) October 17, 2025

One social media user later described the idea as a “toy box for your attention span”.

Campbell, who is 31 and based in California, said the approach is not about rejecting technology entirely. “The key isn’t less technology,” she said. “It’s more analog fun.”

The trend has since spread across social platforms, with users sharing videos of what they keep in their own analog bags, sometimes referring to them as “stop scrolling bags”. Many have posted suggestions on how to customise the contents based on personal habits.

Campbell said the idea was influenced by her reading of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, which outlines how replacing a behaviour is often more effective than attempting to eliminate it entirely.

“If you go to your phone for news, put a newspaper in your bag,” she said. “If it’s for entertainment, try a good book. For creative inspiration, sketching tools or knitting. It’s just like physical fitness – whatever activity you’ll actually do is the best one to include.”

The rise of analog bags comes amid a broader move towards offline pastimes, as more people attempt to reduce their screen time.

Suggested items commonly found in analog bags include:

• Books or magazines
• Crossword puzzles or Sudoku, with pens or pencils
• Knitting supplies
• Needlepoint, cross-stitch or embroidery kits
• Journals or planners
• Colouring or sketch books with coloured pencils
• Portable watercolour kits
• Origami paper
• Travel-sized games or puzzles
• Decks of cards
• Self-care items
• Digital cameras
• Bracelet-making kits

Some parents have adapted the idea for children, assembling kid-friendly versions containing fidget toys, educational games such as BrainQuest, crayons and colouring books, the outlet mentioned.

Supporters of the trend also stress that participation does not require new purchases. Many recommend simply gathering unused books, crafts and activities already available at home.