The Joy of Analog
inspired by this morning's breakdown
I just fixed my Beetle on the side of the road again after breaking down after school drop-off, and although I just got the Beetle running again the other day, I was sort of excited to try my hand at fixing it again.
This breakdown really got me thinking about the mechanics of an old car in a new world where there are gadgets aplenty, and honestly, you can’t really fix a newer car without the help of a computer anymore. Sure, those cars are faster and potentially more reliable—but they lack a certain kind of satisfaction. There’s something deeply rewarding about opening up the car and solving the problem yourself.
One of my favorite things about working on cars is how they scale up my problem-solving brain. With watches, I’m working in fractions of millimeters, balancing delicate mechanisms and precise tolerances. Cars give me the same mental challenge, but on a bigger canvas.
They still require patience, attention to detail, and an understanding of mechanical systems, but they let me step back and work on something where I can actually get my hands dirty—and my hands are REALLY dirty today. There’s something powerful in pausing after the panic of breaking down, troubleshooting an issue, and knowing that you figured it out on your own.
Maybe that’s why I gravitate toward things built to last—whether it’s a hand-wound watch or a Volkswagen Beetle on the side of the road. There’s beauty in a machine that asks something of you, in an object that doesn’t just work for you but works with you. Maybe efficiency isn’t everything. Maybe the best things in life take a little more time, a little more effort. And maybe that’s exactly the point.
What are some of your favorite analog experiences in a digital world?
Recently I've found myself turning away from automation - pour over coffee instead of a drip machine, journaling on paper instead of tapping on a keyboard, carrying a notepad at work instead of putting notes in my phone. I feel a desire to be involved again and to not just have everything done for me.
Analog watches are definitely at the top of the list for me. There’s something about wearing one that helps eliminate distractions—it’s a small way to feel grounded in a world full of noise. Writing with pen and paper does the same thing. It slows my thinking down just enough to make space for clarity. Plus there’s no autocorrect or “word suggestions”. Technology has its place, but the best things in life are often the simplest.