Chronically Online? This Bag Hack Turns ‘Compassion’ Into a Habit

Doomscrolling? Me too. So, let’s put our phones in time-out. If your thumb opens social media before you even think, give it something better to do.

Build an analog bag.

What an analog bag is (and why it’s trending)

An analog bag is a simple trend with a big payoff: a tote you keep stocked with simple, offline items you can reach for instead of your phone. And when you choose animal‑friendly activities and vegan snacks, it matters to real animals—like cows who form best friendships, hens who recognize dozens of faces, and pigs who are smart enough to solve puzzles.

Heavy, always-on phone use is linked to higher anxiety, attention fatigue, and lower mood. Hands-on activities like writing, making art, or crafting can help steady your focus and calm your nervous system. The better you feel, the better you will be able to advocate for our fellow animals.

Building your analog bag (keep it easy)

1. Pick a bag. Use one you already have or treat yourself to a new one. Just be sure it’s made without animal skin.
2. Keep it low-effort. Everything inside should feel easy, not aspirational.
3. Choose activities you can start in seconds. The faster you begin, the faster the benefits pour in.
4. Keep it portable. No cords!
5. Make it yours. You gotta enjoy it, or it defeats the purpose!

What to pack (with kindness built in)

Choose a few of these; it should feel light.

• Paperback or short story collection. Choose something you can dip into for five minutes.
• Pocket notebook or guided journal. Try a “who I helped today” page. That might include choosing oat milk instead of dairy (so a cow doesn’t lose her calf), sharing a vegan snack (so a chicken gets to keep her life), or speaking up for animals in another way.
• Sketchbook and pens.
• Crossword puzzles.
• Postcards and stamps. Write one note to someone you love!
• Animalkind. Read one chapter—then jot down one action you can take for animals.
• A small embroidery, crochet, or knitting kit. With wool-free yarn, of course.
• Mini watercolor set with a water brush. Choose animal-friendly (synthetic) paintbrushes.
• Origami paper and a simple guide.
• Coloring book and colored pencils.

Add a few comfort stables

• A refillable water bottle
• Vegan, cruelty-free hand cream and lip balm
• A lightweight hoodie
• A calming scent roller
• Nail polish  
• “Every animal is someone” socks.

Vegan snacks that do more

Pack one for you and one to share. It’s an easy way to normalize choosing foods made without meat, eggs, or dairy. It could spark a conversation, like, “Did you know that you could save nearly 200 animals per year just by going vegan?”

• Vegan jerky
• Dairy-free Chocolate bars
• Roasted chickpeas
• Trail mix
• Nut or seed butter packets
• Oat-based snack bars
• Dried fruit
• Ginger chews or mints

A few low-key animal advocacy tools

It’s always a good idea to have items that help animals like dogs trapped in hot cars, chickens crammed into cages, and pigs who never get to step outside.

• A few Vegan Starter Kit magazines to place around town
• A sticker or pin from the PETA Shop
• A small journal for conversation starters (you don’t need a speech, just an opening)
• An emergency tool for dogs in hot cars

If you share your life with a dog

This habit will help both of you. When you’re calm and present, they feel it.

• Foldable water bowl
• Toys
• Small treat pouch
• Spare leash and waste bags
• Protective shoes for hot pavement
• An activity for you while your dog sniffs, rests, or watches the world

Build a bag that makes kindness the default.

Build it once and keep it close by. The next time you reach for your phone, reach for the bag instead.

When you’re back to scrolling, make it count. Download the PETA app and take action for cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, and other animals who need us to stand up for them.

Join PETA’s Action Team!

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