The "Analog Comeback": Why I Sold My Smart Watch for a Sundial
The "Analog Comeback": Why I Sold My Smart Watch for a Sundial
The "Analog Comeback": Why I Sold My Smart Watch for a Sundial
In January 2026, I made a radical choice: I sold my Apple Watch Series 9 and bought a handcrafted sundial. Six months later, I'm more productive, less anxious, and surprisingly well-informed about the time.
The Decision Point
It started when I realized:
- I checked my watch 187 times per day
- 73% of notifications were meaningless
- My sleep was fragmented by "optimal" bedtime reminders
- I'd forgotten what boredom felt like
The Sundial Setup
My brass sundial sits on my desk:
- **Morning ritual**: I check it with my coffee
- **Work sessions**: I estimate time blocks rather than tracking minutes
- **Meetings**: I've learned to eyeball durations
- **Evening**: I watch the shadow move as a meditation practice
The Unexpected Benefits
**Mental Clarity**:
- No constant time pressure
- Better focus on tasks
- Reduced anxiety about "being late"
- Improved present-moment awareness
**Social Connection**:
- Asking people for the time creates conversations
- I've met 23 new neighbors this way
- Phone calls feel more intentional
- Face-to-face interactions increased by 40%
**Productivity Gains**:
- Work sessions now last until natural completion
- Fewer interruptions from time-based notifications
- Better work-life boundaries
- More creative breakthrough moments
The Learning Curve
**Initial Challenges**:
- Being 15 minutes late to meetings
- Forgetting appointments
- Confusion during cloudy days
- Friends thinking I'd lost my mind
**Adaptation Strategies**:
- Setting phone alarms for critical appointments
- Learning to estimate durations better
- Carrying a backup time source for important events
- Developing a "time intuition" through practice
The Community Response
My analog experiment sparked interest:
- **Local news**: "Man Goes Back to Basics" feature
- **Social media**: 500+ people sharing their analog tools
- **Workplace**: 3 colleagues now use hourglasses
- **Family**: My kids prefer analog clocks for homework
The Technology Balance
I didn't go completely analog:
- **Phone**: Still my primary communication device
- **Computer**: For work and creative projects
- **E-reader**: For books and articles
- **Sundial**: For time awareness and mindfulness
The Broader Movement
The analog comeback is growing:
- **Analog cafes**: Spaces without digital clocks
- **Slow tech communities**: People choosing intentional technology use
- **Craft workshops**: Learning traditional timekeeping methods
- **Corporate experiments**: Companies testing analog work environments
The Philosophical Shift
Going analog taught me:
- Time is fluid, not rigid
- Precision isn't always valuable
- Simple tools can be more effective
- Human connection matters more than efficiency
The Future Outlook
By 2027, I predict:
- **Hybrid timekeeping**: Digital tools for coordination, analog for awareness
- **Mindful technology**: More intentional device use
- **Community spaces**: Analog-first environments
- **Time literacy**: Better understanding of natural rhythms
The Verdict
The sundial didn't make me less efficient - it made me more human. In our hyper-connected world, sometimes the most revolutionary act is choosing simplicity over sophistication.
My sundial reminds me that time is a human construct, not a digital prison. The future isn't about more technology - it's about using technology more thoughtfully.