The 'Offline Club' - a gathering of like-minded individuals who dare to be disconnected. In the midst of Europe's largest cities, people are coming together for phone-free hangouts, seeking an experience that isn't mediated by their smartphones.
At a nondescript office block in East London, the event host welcomes attendees to leave their devices behind. The room is designed for 40 people, with a long wooden table running down its center and ample space for relaxation and conversation. As the group settles in, the atmosphere shifts from the usual buzz of notifications to an air of calm concentration.
For many, this experience is a response to the perceived tyranny of their phone. They see it as a way to reclaim time and focus on meaningful interactions with others. The Offline Club's founder, Laura Wilson, describes it as "a gentle rebellion" against the constant stream of alerts and reminders that dominate our lives.
As the group embarks on their silent hour, people delve into activities like coloring, reading, or puzzles. They're free to do whatever they choose, without the distraction of social media or the pressure of responding immediately. The result is a sense of collective engagement, as if each person is leaning into the experience and embracing the absence of distractions.
One attendee, Sangeet Narayan, an Indian immigrant who works for Meta, finds himself struggling with the urge to check his phone. "I feel I am addicted to my phone," he confesses after the event. "I feel the urge to see my phone—to open it, just for no reason." But as the hours pass, he becomes absorbed in his own activities and begins to appreciate the quiet beauty of being offline.
As the silence is eventually broken by a conversation, attendees discuss everything from their experiences with phone addiction to concerns about social media's impact on society. They acknowledge the paradox of feeling both empowered and trapped by technology – a feeling that many can relate to.
For Eleanor, a management consultant who attended her first Offline Club event, it was "weirdly feeling more energized" after the experience. The event has sparked renewed interest in face-to-face interaction and a desire for a break from the digital world.
As I watched the group come together, leaving their phones behind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a time when people were more present in each other's company. It's as if they're rediscovering the joys of being human – imperfections and all – in an age where technology dominates our lives.
The Offline Club is more than just a phone-free hangout; it's a movement that challenges us to reevaluate our relationship with technology and find ways to balance our digital and analog worlds. It's a call to arms for those who feel like they're losing themselves in the sea of notifications and endless scrolling.
At a nondescript office block in East London, the event host welcomes attendees to leave their devices behind. The room is designed for 40 people, with a long wooden table running down its center and ample space for relaxation and conversation. As the group settles in, the atmosphere shifts from the usual buzz of notifications to an air of calm concentration.
For many, this experience is a response to the perceived tyranny of their phone. They see it as a way to reclaim time and focus on meaningful interactions with others. The Offline Club's founder, Laura Wilson, describes it as "a gentle rebellion" against the constant stream of alerts and reminders that dominate our lives.
As the group embarks on their silent hour, people delve into activities like coloring, reading, or puzzles. They're free to do whatever they choose, without the distraction of social media or the pressure of responding immediately. The result is a sense of collective engagement, as if each person is leaning into the experience and embracing the absence of distractions.
One attendee, Sangeet Narayan, an Indian immigrant who works for Meta, finds himself struggling with the urge to check his phone. "I feel I am addicted to my phone," he confesses after the event. "I feel the urge to see my phone—to open it, just for no reason." But as the hours pass, he becomes absorbed in his own activities and begins to appreciate the quiet beauty of being offline.
As the silence is eventually broken by a conversation, attendees discuss everything from their experiences with phone addiction to concerns about social media's impact on society. They acknowledge the paradox of feeling both empowered and trapped by technology – a feeling that many can relate to.
For Eleanor, a management consultant who attended her first Offline Club event, it was "weirdly feeling more energized" after the experience. The event has sparked renewed interest in face-to-face interaction and a desire for a break from the digital world.
As I watched the group come together, leaving their phones behind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a time when people were more present in each other's company. It's as if they're rediscovering the joys of being human – imperfections and all – in an age where technology dominates our lives.
The Offline Club is more than just a phone-free hangout; it's a movement that challenges us to reevaluate our relationship with technology and find ways to balance our digital and analog worlds. It's a call to arms for those who feel like they're losing themselves in the sea of notifications and endless scrolling.
just saw this Offline Club thingy & I'm OBSESSED 
! 70% of Europeans aged 18-34 admit to feeling anxious when without their phone, LOL 
. The stats are wild: avg person checks phone 52 times per hour, that's like 3 hours of non-existent scrolling time 
. 
. did you know? 60% of mental health professionals say digital distractions are a major cause of anxiety 
. 
! we need more Offline Club vibes in our lives 
.
I kinda get why people are drawn to this Offline Club thingy... but can we talk about how weird it is that everyone has their phone just chillin' on their desk when they're not using them? Like, isn't that just setting yourself up for when you do need to check something ASAP? 
Anyway, I did love the vibe of the event, tho. It's really cool to see people making an effort to disconnect and just be present with each other 
, i mean, can you even imagine having a whole hour without your phone?? 
. Now, I'm not saying we should ditch technology altogether (although that'd be an interesting debate), but it's clear that too much screen time can lead to a loss of genuine human connections. We need more spaces like this Offline Club where people can actually talk face-to-face and work on their listening skills 
. It's about finding balance, right?
people are actually going without their phones, can u imagine? 
. Let's try to be more present in each other's lives, shall we? 
? it's all about finding that balance, right? and maybe we don't need our phones as much as we think we do... 
Like, have you ever tried meditating without your phone nearby? Game. Changer. 
I'm definitely gonna have to check out one of these events ASAP! 
Who's with me? 
or is it real? and what kinda activities r they doin w/ all that silence? r they playin games, havin deep convos or somethin else entirely? i feel like its kinda cool but also kinda scary to be so disconnected from the world. can u imagine just... nothin 
] *grabs a pair of sunglasses* 
anyway, i do wish people would make eye contact and have real conversations without the need for likes or comments
), while others felt a sense of freedom and rejuvenation. And I think that's what The Offline Club is really about: finding a balance between our digital and analog lives, and not letting technology define us as individuals.
Still, I guess it's worth a try... and hey, if it helps people feel more present and energized, then that's totally awesome! 
.
. Maybe we're due for a bit of digital detox, or at least some serious phone curfew 
. Who knows?
It's all about being mindful of how technology is shaping us and our relationships. And who wouldn't want to experience the beauty of quiet conversations and meaningful connections without the distraction of social media? 
people are finally realizing that their phones aren't as essential as they think 
it's not about abandoning tech altogether, it's about finding a balance. And if an Offline Club is where people want to start, then I say let's give 'em some space 
. I mean, who needs social media when you can have human connection, right? 
. I'm totally down for a movement like this - let's put our phones on silent mode and live in the moment, fam! 
. Anyway, kudos to Laura Wilson for starting this movement, it's about time we took a step back from our screens and lived in the moment 
.