Getting Your Wires Uncrossed
One of the things I experience while working in a stationery shop is seeing shifts in our culture emerge and changes in human behaviour. Among these is the movement toward analogue. Ironically, there are several outlets online that echo this observation. You may have seen some of the headlines pronouncing 2026 as ‘the year of analogue’ or ‘2026 signals the return of analogue living’, etc.
The use of the term analogue to refer to what, for most of us, has always been our main or real life, can sometimes seem strange. Just what is analogue? Pretty much everything that isn’t digital. Put another way, it’s 3-D living rather than 2-D living (or living on screens).
The freedom to make a notebook personal is one of the many things people enjoy. In a world populated with templates and kits that come with pre-set instructions and guidelines, journals are completely freeform. We can all make each one our own by pasting, taping, or stapling in decorative or other papers, adding stickers, washi tape or using the writing instrument and ink of our choice (to say nothing of each notebook’s written contents).
There’s also no need to worry about a future version deeming our current notebook no longer readable. While our computers and phones have cycled through several versions over the years, making our old original files outdated, our real-life notebooks are still as accessible as ever: just pick it up and open it. No license renewal fee required. No need to wonder about the location of the server(s) storing your data. In fact, some say our experience with the digital world has made us appreciate the intimate and personal nature of our hardcopy diaries even more. They’re a respite from the noise online. We like that no large organizations are looking over our shoulder or collecting data about the contents our private journal entries.
I personally believe there are a lot of reasons why people are gravitating toward journaling, scrapbooking, and using notebooks in other ways. Many people have spoken to me about the negative impacts of doomscrolling. Not only does it rob us of our precious time, but it also affects our mental outlook on so many levels. More importantly, the algorithms control what we see and when. Social media is designed to addict people to their platforms. FOMO is a big factor at play.
In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed so much growth in technology. During the pandemic, the ability to extend my business to an online platform was very helpful. When we’re mindful of its purpose and impact, technology can do wonderful things for us.
That said, I still prefer selling in-person at the shop. There’s just no comparison to meeting with people face-to-face. There’s a civility to shopping in person that puts in motion the kind of life experience many of us want. So much beauty in life is about quality, and what greater quality is there than human connection?
How do you feel about analogue lifestyle choices? What aspects of your life do you prefer to live off-line?
Many of us stationery lovers have an appreciation for the 3-D, tactile nature of journaling, sketching and handwriting. Here’s a trio – a selection of just a few of the items at the shop that aim to provide usefulness and pleasure to various analogue activities:
Like many of you, we wish to live in a healthy, peaceful, and harmonious world. It feels good to provide items at the shop that are helpful toward this aim. We’re also so appreciative of the customers who support us, renew our faith in humanity and remind us daily of our kind and caring community.
