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How Analogue Hobbies Became the Ultimate Status Symbol
In an era where digital saturation has become the norm, a surprising new wealth indicator has emerged among younger generations. The traditional markers of affluence – designer handbags, luxury cars, and conspicuous logos – are being quietly replaced by something far more subtle yet significantly more expensive: analogue hobbies that promise escape from the digital world.
The New Currency of Cool
Once upon a time, wealth displays were glaringly obvious: a designer handbag featured prominently in an Instagram story, or a carefully positioned shot of a luxury car steering wheel. These overt displays of affluence, particularly in British culture, often carried a whiff of moral repugnance. The old adage "money talks, wealth whispers" has been repeated with an air of superiority countless times, but in 2026, the whispering has taken an entirely new form.
Today's ultimate wealth flex isn't found in the blinding monogram of high-end leather goods or the roar of a souped-up sports car. Instead, it manifests in analogue activities like padel, pottery, and pilates – pursuits that afford the upper tax brackets both pause and peace while the majority remain tethered to their devices. The simple act of taking a beat has become a privilege in itself.
Influencers Leading the Analogue Charge
Just examine the social media presence of model Kendall Jenner. Like numerous other fashion-forward figures including Lila Moss's friend Olivia Neill and Romeo Beckham's ex Mia Regan, Jenner has transformed her Instagram feed into a gallery of analogue pursuits. Her 284 million followers are treated to footage of cycling adventures, swimming sessions, horseback riding, and mountain hikes.
The expensive outerwear remains visible, of course, but the true focus has shifted to the outdoorsiness itself. "Look at me, I'm not on my phone," these images paradoxically declare as they're shared across digital platforms. The contradiction is both palpable and telling of our times.
Generational Spending Priorities
According to a comprehensive study published by financial software company Intuit, millennials and Generation Z are significantly more likely than older generations to prioritise spending on hobbies. The research suggests this trend stems from younger demographics placing substantial value on personal growth and mental wellbeing. The social clout that comes with showcasing these pursuits certainly doesn't hurt either – after all, what's the point of becoming the best version of yourself if nobody knows about your transformation?
While hobbies like skiing and sailing have historically carried class associations due to their exorbitant costs, today's trend-led interests have become surprisingly expensive in their own right. In an age of persistent inflation, activities as seemingly simple as pottery or specialised exercise classes can easily cost hundreds of pounds monthly.
Hobbies as Necessity, Not Luxury
Remarkably, more than half of Gen Z and millennials now view spending on hobbies as an essential rather than discretionary expense. Many are willing to prioritise their pursuits over traditional financial security markers like savings accumulation and homeownership. This fundamental shift in values essentially transforms activities like pilates and pottery into the new avocado on toast – symbols of a lifestyle choice that speaks volumes about priorities and purchasing power.
"I think the common thread throughout all my hobbies is that I want activities that get me off my phone and into the real world; doing things with my hands," explains 27-year-old Bea, whose most significant hobby investment to date has been £400 for a 12-week pottery course. She has recently experimented with horse riding through a free trial.
The Pottery Renaissance
"I went into pottery expecting it to be people of an older generation, but it surprised me that it was a lot more of a younger crowd," Bea reveals. "The cost was a substantial amount to commit, but actually it represented excellent value for money – two and a half hours every Monday night from October to December. You'd arrive potentially stressed at the week's beginning, then have dedicated time away from your phone, working with your hands, learning new skills and meeting people. I genuinely appreciate activities that fully immerse me."
The Pilates Premium
Similarly, London resident Amy invests £130 monthly in pilates classes through the membership application Classpass. "I experimented with various exercise formats," she explains. "One was bounce – a high-intensity workout on mini trampolines – before discovering reformer pilates." The 29-year-old, who has ADHD, finds traditional gym environments challenging due to boredom and distraction.
"I ultimately loved reformer because of the session diversity," Amy continues. "You can't simply stop what you're doing because you're strapped into the machine, as is everyone around you. This structure made me sweat more effectively. Previously, I'd visit the gym, exercise for five minutes, then retreat to my phone. Knowing you've paid for a non-cancellable class creates powerful motivation to work hard."
The Padel Phenomenon
Elena, based in Barcelona, enjoys the racket sport padel so profoundly that she's transformed her hobby into a business venture. She now organises padel retreats and tournaments in Spain for business professionals from across Europe, creating a circular wealth display through her passion.
"My spending per game depends on which club I visit and when I play," Elena notes. "Post-work hours command premium pricing. In Barcelona, courts cost approximately €15 per person. Monthly expenses obviously increase with frequency – I'd estimate around €60 monthly on average."
When this seems surprisingly affordable compared to pottery and pilates, Elena clarifies: "London operates completely differently. Everything's substantially more expensive there. A single hour on a Canary Wharf court can cost £80."
The Digital Detox Economy
The unifying factor across these diverse pursuits is the ubiquitous smartphone – younger generations desperately seek escape from devices to which they've become addicted. While more affordable offline pastimes like knitting, colouring, and even bingo have also gained popularity (spawning the "analogue bag" trend – essentially adult toy boxes), many find they need more extreme measures like clay immersion or exercise machine restraint to resist social media's sticky temptation.
Posting hobby accomplishments online has evolved from the "all the gear, no idea" reflex of previous decades (remember Bridget Jones's pink ski suit?) into a digital reward for hours spent phone-free. It represents a virtual pat on the back – validation from followers temporarily neglected during analogue immersion.
The Screen Time Reality
According to UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom, the average British adult checks their phone every twelve minutes, driven by persistent push notifications, alluring algorithms, and inescapable WhatsApp group chats. A 2022 Uswitch survey revealed average daily screen time among UK adults has reached five hours. Given these statistics, the question becomes compelling: if you can afford it, why wouldn't you invest hundreds of pounds to reclaim that time and start living more authentically?
The Health Implications
Whereas previous generations created entertainment from pure ingenuity during moments of boredom, contemporary society faces constant blue light bombardment that disrupts sleep cycles, causes eye strain, headaches, and daytime fatigue. The mental health impacts of social media and damage to dopamine pathways cannot be overlooked. Meanwhile, activities like pottery actively promote focus and mindfulness.
Ultimately, being offline has become the new luxury that not everyone can afford. Comedian Aziz Ansari recently revealed on a podcast that he maintains distance from the digital world through a low-tech flip phone, creating more mental space for thinking. When questioned about organising his life without email access, he simply stated: "I have an assistant." One can only imagine how dizzying that assistant's digital experience must be.
As analogue hobbies continue their ascent as status symbols, they represent more than mere pastimes – they've become declarations of independence from the digital chains that bind modern society, accessible only to those with sufficient means to purchase their freedom.
