Analog Practices for Wellness Month

August is National Wellness Month, and while there’s a distinct promotion of diet and exercise practices, we want to focus on connection—both within ourselves and with the world around us.

Many of us look to technology to feel a connection with those around us, but end up feeling disconnected from reality. At Blackwing, we encourage analog practices for intentional living. Here are three practices you can incorporate into your routine to rediscover that sense of connectivity.

1. Connect With Yourself: The Memory Map

This practice is a creative take on journaling. Instead of writing about your day, dedicate a page to a specific memory—not just with words, but with a mix of notes, sketches, and symbols. The goal is to capture a moment in time by including what you saw, heard, and felt. This is a meditative act that helps you appreciate your experiences and internal landscape.

2. Connect With Your Environment: The Sensory Log

This is an exercise in quiet observation. Choose a single, uninterrupted moment, whether you’re sitting by a window, on a park bench, or at your desk. Use your writing tool of choice and notebook to record what you can sense. What do you see in the immediate vicinity? What do you hear? What do you smell or feel? The goal is not to interpret or analyze, but simply to be present and to notice. This practice helps ground you in the here and now.

3. Connect With Others: The Thoughtful Note

This isn't a long letter, but a small, meaningful act. It could be a note of thanks to a partner, a word of encouragement to a coworker, or a short message slipped into a child's lunchbox. The physical act of writing and giving the note makes the message feel more personal and impactful than a text or email.

Remember to check in with yourself this National Wellness Month, and beyond.