2026: The Year Of Analog
By Sanjeev Wignarajah
As the new year approaches, people make resolutions to be better and live comfortably. One of the new year’s resolutions making waves is to embrace analog (physical media, iPods, walkmans, etc.) In an era where streaming services become too convenient and subscription prices increase and doomsrolling becomes the norm of news gathering and to quote a famous person, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Although physical media is still around and relevant. Millennials and Gen Z have made 2026 the year of going analog.
Movies (4K Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD)
Instead of streaming movies, try watching a movie on Blu-Ray. It is best viewed on the home theatre system with a Blu-Ray player and a 4K Blu-Ray copy or a Blu-Ray copy. Picture yourself at home watching a movie with the clearest picture and sound quality. The speakers echoing and booming at every sound effect. It feels like going to the movies at the comfort of your home minus the shared passwords and skipping ads.
Music (Vinyl and CDs)
There’s nothing sweeter than visiting your local record store. Crates and crates filled with vinyl records. You could hear music playing in the background from a record player. If that’s authenticity, I don’t know what is. There’s something to marvel at when crate digging:
-The artwork and design
-The sound of the needle grooving through the record
-The unmatched sound quality
There’s a few coffee shops where they play vinyl records as you drink your favourite coffee. You come for the coffee and stay for the vinyl. It’s a vibe that sparks your creativity and the vibes are immaculate.
You could even collect CD and vinyl records based on your taste in genre.
Books
Who doesn’t love a good book to curl up to? It transports you to different worlds as you read and gain inspiration the imagination can grasp. You could even discuss it with friends and form a book club. Inspiration is in the details.
Film Photography
Here’s a creative challenge: Explore your own city with a disposable camera at hand from a different perspective. There’s a uniqueness about shooting film. The graininess, authenticity, feeling, and the look.
Wired Headphones
Remember wired headphones? Those things tuned out the outside world and into sweet, sweet music. It adds personality to it. The advantages of wearing it: it doesn’t die out halfway through a playlist or a Zoom call.
Sanjeev Wignarajah is a freelance writer and photographer working with select clients and publications. He has a background in journalism and public relations from Centennial College.