The digital world is a constant hum, a never-ending scroll that can easily swallow hours we meant to spend elsewhere. While statistics show Australians are spending a significant chunk of their lives online – with averages reaching nearly six hours a day, and a staggering 19 hours and 28 minutes weekly dedicated to social media – a growing movement is pushing back. West Australians, in particular, appear to be rediscovering the allure of the analogue, seeking tangible experiences and a break from the screen.
Signs You Might Be Overdoing It Online
The E-Safety Commissioner highlights several tell-tale signs that your digital habits might be taking a toll. These can manifest physically and mentally:
- Physical Discomfort: Persistent headaches, eye strain, and disrupted sleep patterns are common. You might also experience aches in your neck, back, or hands.
- Compulsive Device Checking: The urge to constantly check your phone, even when engaged in other activities, is a strong indicator.
- Social Withdrawal: A noticeable decline in engagement with offline friends and activities, preferring the digital realm.
- Performance Drop: A dip in your productivity or focus at work or in your studies can be linked to excessive screen time.
Recognising these signs is the first step towards recalibrating. Thankfully, a surge in creative and hands-on activities is providing the perfect antidote.
Crafting Connections: The Rise of Analogue Hobbies
In Fremantle, a local initiative is proving just how much people crave real-world connection and a break from their devices. Craft Club, held every second Thursday evening at Fremantle Piazza, has become a runaway success.
Molly Wellington, the founder, noticed a gap in Perth’s social scene. “When I started it, there wasn’t anything like it in Perth,” she explained. “Also, there was nothing to do in Perth in winter, which is when the club began.”
What began as a more sporadic venture three years ago has become a consistent offering over the past six months, driven by a clear demand. Wellington admits to a personal motivation too: “Also I selfishly just have a list of like a hundred projects that I want to do myself and I never do them if I’m just doing them at home on my own,” she said with a laugh.
The popularity of Craft Club is undeniable, with tickets frequently selling out well in advance. Attendees have the flexibility to bring their own projects and tools or to dive into something new with supplies provided by Wellington. Beyond the regular craft sessions, Wellington also hosts workshops on alternating Tuesday evenings, exploring everything from patchwork and junk journaling to keychain making.
Ironically, Wellington first encountered the “analogue trend” online. “The hilarious thing is that I noticed it on the internet a lot which is really funny to me,” she remarked. “But in real life I feel like people just want to get off their phones.”
She’s heard it directly from participants: “A lot of the conversations that I keep having on the nights are with people who say, ‘I’m so hooked on my phone, I just need to have an excuse as to why I’m not looking at it,’ or the other night someone said that they felt really gross that they brought their phone to look up something during for their project because … they just wanted to be here in the moment.” Wellington observes that this analogue shift is gaining momentum, with similar clubs and activities popping up across Perth, a welcome sight compared to their more frequent presence “over East.”
Finding Solace in Pottery: The Painted Teapot Experience
Another haven for those seeking to disconnect and create is The Painted Teapot in Subiaco. This studio offers a therapeutic escape where individuals can immerse themselves in painting blank pottery pieces, from delicate teapots to sturdy mugs.
Owner Kalpanie Fernando noted a significant surge in interest following the COVID-19 pandemic. “I definitely think there are a lot of people that are way more into arts and crafts now than there was pre-COVID,” she stated. “I don’t know if that was a catalyst for this change in mind and this kind of shift, but definitely a noticeable change.”
Fernando believes the pandemic offered a glimpse into a better work-life balance. “I think we all got a taste of what a work-life balance could look like when people started spending more time at home, working from home, being able to pursue arts and hobbies and have family time.”
The demographic at The Painted Teapot has also shifted dramatically. While initially popular with families, it’s now predominantly adults seeking respite from demanding careers and the incessant digital world. “I’ll be honest, 95 per cent of my bookings are adults or at the very least over 15-16 year olds,” Fernando shared. “There has been an enormous shift and there’s a lot more people who do this kind of thing in their spare time. I think they use it as an excuse to get away from the digital world, honestly.”
The studio operates on an $8 studio fee, with pottery prices starting from $20. Philippe Giguere-Simmonds, a regular at The Painted Teapot, finds the sessions invaluable for de-stressing from his demanding job as a haematologist.
“I ran across it during COVID, and I thought ‘oh gosh, I haven’t done that in years’ and so I sort of got back into it then,” he recounted. “It was a nice creative outlet that gave me something durable and nice at the end that I could use. I like using all of my pieces, eating off of them and drinking from the mugs and stuff.” Giguere-Simmonds describes the focused act of painting as both “repetitive” and “meditative,” a welcome contrast to his complex professional life.
Walyalup Arts Centre: Embracing the Handmade
The Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre is also experiencing a heightened demand for its art classes. One-day pottery workshops, in particular, are consistently selling out. Ofa Fotu, City of Fremantle’s creative programs lead, highlighted the broad appeal of their diverse offerings, which include jewellery making, painting, and sewing.
“The Arts Centre definitely provides different pathways where people can start and have no experience in working with some of the materials or some of the forms,” Fotu explained. “We’re surrounded by technology and the marvel that it is, is amazing, but the opportunity to kind of tap out for a moment and do something that is repetitive and meditative can … let you claim your time back and do something for yourself.”
This shift towards analogue activities represents more than just a trend; it’s a conscious decision by many to reclaim their time, reduce screen dependency, and reconnect with themselves and others through the simple, satisfying act of creating something with their own hands.
