Analog life and hobbies are trending — big time.
Gardening. Knitting. Film cameras. Pottery wheels. Anything that gets our hands (and hearts) off screens and back into something tangible.
With everything *gestures vaguely around the planet* going on, it makes sense. Many of us want less time online. Less time reacting. Less… whatever the AI slop of the week is.
As a gardener, an artist, and a crafter, I’ll take any chance I can get to put my hands in the dirt or make something I can actually touch and feel.
And as a marketing strategist, I can’t help but notice how this shift is changing what actually works when it comes to promoting our small businesses.
Because if you want to spend less time on the marketing hamster wheel and more time pursuing an analog life — and your audience is spending less time online too — your marketing has to be more strategic and more intentional than ever.
But don’t get me wrong: that doesn’t mean doing more.
If anything, it’s about doing the opposite.
This week, I wrote a new post about slowing down with intention so you can get more from your marketing in 2026 — with more clarity, confidence and maybe a little less effort.
In it, I share:
- Why “more” often isn’t the answer
- How to identify what’s actually working in your business so you can focus your energy where it matters most
- Six practical ways to create steadier, more effective marketing
You can choose your own adventure:
This piece reflects the philosophy behind Slow & Steady — and the foundation of the Decelerator — and how I think about growth, focus, and enoughness in business.
If you’ve been feeling like you want to spend less time on the marketing hamster wheel this year, this might be a supportive place to start.
Until next time,
Amanda Laird
Growth Marketing Strategist
Founder, Slow & Steady Studio
PS: Early-year planning has a way of speeding us up. This is your reminder that you’re allowed to go slow and stay steady instead.