When was the last time you felt truly connected? To yourself, to a loved one, to a hobby... A time when your attention wasn’t competing with the familiar ding of a notification or calendar reminder, pulling you out of the moment and somewhere else entirely.

If you’re anything like us, this age of distraction can leave you feeling a bit lost in nostalgia, as though something is missing and the summer you crave is just out of reach...

We yearn for undivided attention, to take the scenic route home, to write a letter simply because you’re thinking of someone, to have your afternoon rearranged by pleasant weather and a familiar face, to muddle through a new hobby, a new idea, a new book, to allow ourselves to practice being more fully in each moment. 

But what exactly is preventing us from these simple, fulfilling pursuits? From romanticizing our days in ways that feel personal rather than performed? We have a feeling it has more to do with our devices and less to do with our natural ability to find pleasure in everyday moments. 

So what do we do? We start simply. We set down our phones and return to spending time in ways that require little more than our attention. The antidote to an age of optimization fatigue, continuous distractions, and endless cycles of social comparison lies in returning our attention to the here and now.

So, here and now is a list of analogue activities that we think might just help you, your family, and your friends get offline and into the world this summer. And what better time to practice than over a long weekend? 

We’d love to hear how it goes, but in the spirit of this adventure, we’d rather not hear about it until Tuesday… 

Choose Your Analogue Adventure: 

Write a postcard and pop it in the mail.

Head to the beach and when you're there, build a sand castle.

Grab a film or polaroid camera to document the weekend.

Walk, bike, or skip over to your local library.

What's in season? Go berry picking!

Host a letter-writing party. We love the idea of supplying a few stamps so that you can end the even with a little neighbourhood stroll to drop them off in a nearby mailbox.

Go beachcombing.

Paint with watercolours. Set yourself up near a window and paint what you see.

Listen to an album all the way through without doing anything else.

Who says puzzling is reserved for fall and winter? The light is perfect for puzzles during the summer.

Visit a local art gallery or museum.

Forage for leaves or flowers, arrange them on a piece of sun-print paper, and let nature photograph the moment. 

See what kinds of theatre events are happening around you and pick a show to go see.

Pop by your local stationery shop for a new pen or pencil.

Invite someone over and cook them a simple breakfast while you catch up.

Visit a nearby tourist attraction you pass by regularly but never stop for.

Explore your city without using anything but curiosity or a paper map. 

When is the last time you caught some live music? 

Go for a walk with a loved one and see what you notice. Let that lead the conversation, helping you stay present and connected.