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As companies spend billions on AI in the race to automate work, a surprising office trend is taking hold among the youngest generation of employees.Gen Z workers are embracing the decidedly low-tech: premium notebooks, colorful desk pads, handwritten notes, and the humble Post-it.Gen Z office workers told Business Insider about the importance of carving out a personal space in increasingly standardized workplaces, and it may offer employers a clue for making return-to-office mandates easier to swallow."A space that I can call my own, I think, is very important," Jessie Lei, a human resources professional, told Business Insider. "It feels like there's a place for me to exist, so my decorations weren't just entirely for aesthetic."Lei said one of his favorite office "perks" is free Post-it notes, which he began to rely on heavily for meeting notes and pinning reminders to his monitor instead of keeping everything inside Google Docs. The smaller sticky notes also become miniature sketchbooks where Lei doodles cats, birds, and artwork inspired by his favorite songs during breaks."Handwriting helps me focus and remember information better than typing, and it just feels more natural than trying to keep up with conversations on a keyboard," Lei said. "I know it's such a small thing, but having it is a tangible upgrade to my well-being."Retailers are feeling the trendThe analog revival is spreading from CDs to stationery.
