Could You Go an Entire Afternoon Without Your Phone?

Remember when you could stand in line, sit in a waiting room or simply have a few minutes to yourself without automatically reaching for your phone?

Somewhere along the way, scrolling became the thing we do whenever we're not doing something else.

But lately, something interesting has been happening. People are putting down their phones at least for a little while and rediscovering things many of us never thought of as "trendy" in the first place.

Reading actual books. Coloring. Working puzzles. Gardening. Fishing. Playing board games. Taking walks. Journaling. Baking. Doing crafts. Or simply sitting outside and enjoying what's around us without feeling the need to check a screen.

Welcome to the return of analog living one of 2026's more interesting lifestyle trends.

Apparently, Old-School Is Cool Again

Pinterest's recently released 2026 Hobbies Trend Report points to growing interest in hands-on, screen-free hobbies and activities. People are looking for things they can actually make, touch, grow, collect and experience away from a screen.

There's even a trend around creating an "analog bag" a bag filled with things like books, journals, puzzles, cards, coloring supplies or other activities you can reach for instead of your phone.

And I have to admit, I understand the appeal.

I enjoy technology and certainly don't plan on giving up my smartphone, Google Maps or the conveniences that come with being connected.

But give me some coloring pages and colored pencils, a good book, a board game, a walk outside or an opportunity to go fishing, and I'm perfectly capable of enjoying myself without scrolling through a screen.

There's something refreshing about doing something simply because you enjoy it without photographing it, posting it, checking notifications or wondering how many people "liked" it.

Maybe We're Not Trying to Go Backward

I don't think most people actually want to return to life before technology.

Maybe we're just realizing that being connected all the time isn't necessarily the same thing as feeling connected.

There's a difference between exchanging 20 text messages and sitting around a table laughing over a board game.

There's a difference between watching videos of beautiful outdoor places and actually taking a walk and noticing what's around you.

And there's definitely a difference between watching someone catch a fish online and feeling that tug on your own fishing line.

Sometimes the simplest activities give our minds a chance to slow down.

Coloring is a perfect example. There's no deadline and no expectation that you're creating a masterpiece. You choose the colors, fill in the spaces and enjoy the process.

A good book can take you somewhere completely different without ever leaving your favorite chair.

And a walk doesn't need a destination at all.

Maybe that's part of what we're rediscovering.

Not everything we do has to be productive, shareable or impressive.

Sometimes enjoying it is reason enough.

Here's My Challenge and I'm Taking It Too

What if we occasionally gave ourselves permission to be unavailable to the digital world?

Not for a week.

Not even for a day.

Just an afternoon.

Put the phone somewhere you won't automatically reach for it and do something you genuinely enjoy.

I might pull out my coloring supplies, start a good book, play a board game, take a walk or even better spend a few hours fishing.

What would you choose?

Would you read, cook, garden, work a puzzle, paint, play cards, go fishing, take a walk, tackle a DIY project or rediscover something you haven't done in years?

Or maybe your perfect screen-free afternoon would involve doing absolutely nothing.

That counts too.

Now I Want to Hear From You

If you had to put your phone away for an entire afternoon, what would you actually enjoy doing?

And here's another question:

What's one hobby you used to love that you'd like to start doing again?

Tell me in the comments. I'm genuinely curious to see what everyone chooses and your answer might inspire someone else to rediscover something they once loved.

Houston Home Insights is about more than houses. It's about Houston, home, community, everyday life and the things that make where we live feel like home. Thanks for spending a few minutes here with me.

Rhonda Biggom, REALTOR