Episode 12: Analog Revival in a Digital World: What is This Trend All about, and Why I Am Embracing this Culture Shift

I’m Renea, a retired educator turned wine bar conversationalist. This is Conversations Over Wine—where wisdom is poured and stories are shared.

Each week, we slow down, pour a glass, and talk about life’s lessons, aging with intention, and what really matters as we grow older. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s begin.

Okay, I have a bit of a confession about something that has been going on with me for the last couple of years, but has really gathered momentum over the last 6 months.

Lately, I’ve been craving things that don’t ping, notify, or need a charger.

I’ve noticed more people talking about vinyl records, handwritten notes, ‘analog bags,’ even flip phones. And I started asking myself… are we tired? Are we overstimulated? Are we done being constantly online?

So today, I want to explore something that feels quietly powerful — the return to analog.

According to Chat GPT What the Analog Movement Is:

At its core, the analog movement is a cultural reaction to digital saturation — it’s about choosing physical, hands-on activities over digital ones. People are intentionally engaging in practices that don’t involve screens, apps, or automated feeds. It’s as much about what you gain (presence, mindfulness, creativity) as what you’re stepping away from (constant notifications, algorithmic loops).

*Mindful, Tactile Activities

People are rediscovering analog forms of creation and engagement:

• Film photography and Polaroids instead of smartphone shots.
• Vinyl records and turntables for music.
• Handwritten journals, letters, and notebooks.
• Knitting, puzzles, board games, printmaking — hobbies that are inherently “hands-on.”

Other ways it is showing up:

Analog Bags & Signature Trends

• “analog bag” — a tote filled with analog objects (books, pencils, crosswords, knitting, film cameras) that people carry as an alternative to their phone to prevent mindless scrolling.
• Analog Rooms & Physical Spaces
• Some people are dedicating spaces (like “analog rooms”) at home that are deliberately screen-free — using turntables, bookshelves, and board game closets to foster relaxation and real connection.

The Why:

• Digital fatigue- many are seeking ways to get away from the constant noise of technology. Our brains and nervous systems are tired.
• More authentic experiences that help us to slow down

It is not meant to say do away with technology, more as a compliment and awareness that we are on sensory overload and need to maybe come back to simpler times as best we can. Balance!

Searches for “analog hobbies” have spiked dramatically in recent years.

After two decades of hyper-connection, maybe we’re realizing something: Convenience doesn’t always equal fulfillment.”

Ways I personally have embraced it:

• More reading
• More journaling
• Jigsaw puzzles
• More cooking from scratch- even creamer
• Cross stitching
• Pottery class
• Vinyl

Closing Toast

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please take a few minutes to like, comment, and download my podcast. Also, if you can think of at aleast one person you know who would enjoy our wine conversations, please share this podcast with them. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given. Until next time, cheers.

I’m Renea, a retired educator turned wine bar conversationalist. This is Conversations Over Wine—where wisdom is poured and stories are shared.

Each week, we slow down, pour a glass, and talk about life’s lessons, aging with intention, and what really matters as we grow older. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s begin.

This week’s episode is all about taking a careful, introspective look at where we are and how to make peace with a life that may look different than what you had planned. This is a topic I can certainly relate to and hope to be able to share some things today that will help you embrace the life you have even when it is not the one you were expecting.

I feel that gratitude is the cornerstone for being at peace with your life. Every day when I wake up I recite at least three things I am grateful for before I allow myself to touch my phone. It sets the stage for the day, but also reminds me of all the good. I always want to start with the good. Being grateful for the life you have regardless of whether it is the one you planned can really be imperative to how you perceive it.

Now, is this the life I had planned? Is this the one I saw in my mind 10 years ago? Not exactly. But guess what? That other one was not meant to be and would probably have not been all I thought it would be even if it had gone another road. I thought I would be happily married, still living in suburbia and living a life with someone I loved. That has not been the way of things for me. I am single, living the urban, tiny house style life. It is not what I planned, but oddly enough it is a wonderful life. I had no idea how much having a quiet, peaceful, simple, and yes, single life would lead to so much contentment.

Next to finding gratitude every day, I truly believe filling your life with the things that bring you the most happiness is important to being at peace with it. But in order to do that, you must really get to know yourself. If you are in your 50, 60s and beyond the next stage of life is when we circle back to ourselves. We have to remind ourselves of what we really enjoy doing. If you are younger, you may just now be discovering what brings you the most joy. Get your journal out and make a list of 3-5 things that bring you joy. Then, make a plan to incorporate them into your life. And in all of this, don’t forget to spend time with those who bring joy into your life! Many studies have shown that personal relationships are the number one factor of true happiness. Be intentional about setting time in your schedule to spend time with friends and family who fill your cup. The more you incorporate the things you love into your daily life, the easier it is to fall in love with the life you are now living.

One last way I have learned to embrace my life as it is is by not spending too much time ruminating on the past or what might have been. I do my best to look forward and keep my face toward the sunshine. I realize it is completely normal to reminisce sometimes, but you can’t stay there. Take an occasional peak, and move on.

For me, I have made peace with the life I am living by keeping a grateful heart, filling my life with the things I love and that bring me joy, and keeping my face toward the sunshine while focusing on the life I actually have now, not looking backwards or staying in the past.

Closing Toast

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please take a few minutes to like, comment, and download my podcast. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given. Until next time, cheers.

Episode 10 : Shenanigans & Soul Sisters: How We’ve Stayed Friends for 16 years (with my Bestie!)

I’m Renea, a retired educator turned wine bar conversationalist. This is Conversations Over Wine—where wisdom is poured and stories are shared.

Each week, we slow down, pour a glass, and talk about life’s lessons, aging with intention, and what really matters as we grow older. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s begin.

Welcome to my friend, Karen! I’m so excited she joined us for a conversation about friendship!

• How we met
• The storms and challenges we’ve weathered together
• Fun shenanigans; memories that will last forever
• What we love about each other
• Advice to others about friendship

Meeting at a parent/teacher conference and how that led to our friendship.

What I love about Karen:

Her joy

Her optimism

Adventurous spirit

Love for her family

Your friends are a reflection of you and should be light in your life. We are who we surround ourselves with!

Love for your friends and who they are as humans is so important to sustaining a long-term friendship.

Storms and Challenges- divorces for both of us, love lost and love found. Challenges with our kids. We have always found a way to find comfort in each other and safety to really be who we are without judgement. It’s so rare to find that!

Shenanigans: laughter and silliness! Be silly and enjoy the lighter side of life!

Challenges- busyness when kids were home, now one of us is married and one is single, finding time, being intentional about spending time together!

Advice:

• You have to be intentional. Schedule friend dates, calls, etc.
• Don’t take them for granted
• You don’t have to talk every day, not even every week in some cases
• Don’t always feel like you have to give advice, sometimes they are wanting to just vent.
• Be honest with each other, even when it hurts
• Remember that it is important that they have other friends to fill other parts of their lives
• Remember some friends are only for a season, the others must be treasured and cultivated

Closing Toast

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please take a few minutes to like, comment, and download my podcast. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given. Until next time, cheers.