In a culture defined by acceleration and instant feedback, a new study from Hint App reveals a generational desire for emotional deceleration and analog ritual.
A recent survey conducted by Hint App among 4,312 users aged 18 to 30 in the US and UK reveals a striking emotional mismatch: 64% of respondents said they feel "emotionally older" than their chronological age. The company links this sentiment to what it describes as a state of "spiritual vintage", a longing for slower cultural tempos in response to the pressures of high-speed digital life.
"Young people are not just nostalgic, they're signaling that emotional life needs different tempos than the internet allows," says Kirill Liakh, Managing Director at Hint App. "In a world of instant response, the return to slower rituals is not regression. It's a recovery."
The data suggests a clear behavioral shift. 58% of respondents said they actively curate analog practices such as journaling, making mixtapes, or using film cameras to counterbalance the effects of constant online stimulation. These behaviors are not merely nostalgic gestures, but adaptive strategies for regaining emotional footing in an always-on environment.
Hint App’s broader demographic context supports this trend: 60% of its users are aged between 18 and 39, and more than 62% seek guidance in the domain of love and relationships. The company characterizes this analog resurgence as a form of digital resistance, not a retreat from modern life, but a recalibration of emotional pace.
Further findings indicate that younger users are experiencing a form of temporal compression. 71% reported feeling rushed by digital obligations, while 49% said they struggle to distinguish personal time from online activity. In response, 43% said they had adopted at least one analog ritual in the past year to feel more grounded, and 36% reported purchasing vintage or secondhand items primarily for emotional reasons.
Hint App’s internal metrics reinforce the pattern: users who report adopting analog practices spend 27% more time on reflective content and show a 19% drop in immediate follow-up actions after emotionally charged readings. These behaviors suggest a reintroduction of slower feedback loops through symbolic and tactile experiences, whether through reading palms, developing film, or assembling physical playlists.
According to Hint App, this emerging pattern carries broader implications for media design and cultural production. As digital platforms continue to prioritize speed, personalization, and algorithmic response, a growing segment of young adults appears to be seeking tools that emphasize ambiguity, reflection, and temporal depth.
Rather than universalizing the trend, the report presents this as a directional signal: a notable portion of young adults is not just nostalgic for older formats; they are reconstructing them as emotionally intelligent responses to a culture of acceleration.
About Hint App:
Hint App is a symbolic, emotional insight platform with over 1.2 million users that combines ancient practices such as astrology, palmistry, and visual soulmate interpretations with modern technology, including artificial intelligence and NASA astronomical data, to deliver highly personalized reports based on a user’s exact birth details. Rather than offering predictions or quick fixes, Hint App serves as a reflective framework, helping individuals map emotional patterns, understand the deeper timing behind personal and relationship decisions, and reconnect with their inner clarity.
Media Contact:
Hint America Inc.
pr@hint.app
Leigh Roberts
PR manager
Hint App is a symbolic, emotional insight platform with over 1.2 million users that combines ancient practices such as astrology, palmistry, and visual soulmate interpretations with modern technology, including artificial intelligence and NASA astronomical data, to deliver highly personalized reports based on a user’s exact birth details. Rather than offering predictions or quick fixes, Hint App serves as a reflective framework, helping individuals map emotional patterns, understand the deeper timing behind personal and relationship decisions, and reconnect with their inner clarity.
Media Contact:
Hint America Inc.
pr@hint.app
Leigh Roberts
PR manager