Choosing Presence in a Scroll-Heavy World

The latest lifestyle trend making its way across social media is the “analog bag”—a tote filled not with chargers and screens, but with watercolor paints, crossword puzzles, knitting needles, books, and other hands-on activities meant to replace mindless scrolling. The idea is simple: when boredom strikes, reach for something tangible instead of your phone.

It’s a trend that has resonated with millennials and Gen Z alike, and for good reason. Research shows that we pick up our phones more than 100 times a day, often out of habit rather than intention. But behind the trend is something deeper than nostalgia. It reflects a growing desire—especially among young people—to reclaim attention, creativity, and presence.

At Merion Mercy Academy, this moment feels familiar. Because long before “analog bags” became a hashtag, our students were already filling their days with meaningful, hands-on experiences that invite them to look up, lean in, and discover what excites them.

We’ve Been Doing This All Along

Walk through our campus on any given afternoon and you’ll see it: students rehearsing lines for the spring play, sketching in an art studio, practicing with a music ensemble, meeting with clubs, contributing to service projects, or heading to practice with teammates. These are not passive experiences. They require focus, collaboration, creativity, and presence.

Our clubs, organizations, and activities are more than extracurriculars—they are invitations. Invitations to try something new, to explore a curiosity, to take a risk, and sometimes to discover a passion students didn’t even know they had. And very often, those discoveries happen when phones are set aside and hands are busy doing something real.

In many ways, these experiences function just like an “analog bag.” They give students something better to reach for.

Replacing the Habit, Not Just Removing the Phone

One reason the analog bag trend has gained traction is because it aligns with what behavioral science tells us about habits. As author Charles Duhigg explains, habits are driven by cues and rewards. When boredom or stress is the cue, scrolling becomes the default reward.

The solution isn’t simply telling young people to stop using their phones. It’s offering an alternative that provides a similar—or better—sense of satisfaction.

At Merion Mercy, we aim to do exactly that. We don’t just ask students to put their phones away; we create a school culture filled with opportunities that engage their minds, bodies, and hearts. Whether it’s problem-solving in a club meeting, creating something from scratch, serving others, or being part of a team, students are learning how to replace passive habits with purposeful ones.

These are skills they will carry well beyond high school: how to manage attention, how to seek balance, and how to choose presence over distraction.

If Our Students Had Analog Bags…

So, if our students carried analog bags, what might be inside?

A script marked up with notes from rehearsal.
A sketchbook filled with half-finished ideas.
Sheet music folded and worn from practice.
A lab notebook, a robotics part, an in-progress essay
A volleyball, a pair of cleats, or a notebook from Stuco

Each item would tell a story—not of scrolling, but of doing. Of showing up. Of discovering joy in creating, collaborating, and contributing to something larger than oneself.

Why It Matters

The revival of analog hobbies isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about balance. It’s about helping young women learn when to connect digitally and when to engage more fully with the world right in front of them.

At Merion Mercy Academy, we are proud to be a place where students are encouraged to find that balance every day—through vibrant programs, a strong sense of sisterhood, and a culture that values attention, creativity, and human connection.

Trends will come and go. But the ability to be present, to discover passions, and to choose meaningful engagement over mindless distraction—that’s something our students are building for life.