The Rising Popularity of Offline Events and Why They Matter
Yesterday, we hosted our first Offline gathering—a space completely free of screens, notifications, and digital noise.
No agenda. No expectations.
Just people existing together, reading, writing, talking, or simply sitting in stillness.
And it worked.
The room filled with quiet energy. Some people posted up with a book, others scribbled notes in journals, a few started conversations that might not have happened anywhere else.
Without phones to check or content to consume, time moved differently.
We weren’t performing. We weren’t documenting. We were just there.
We believe this has been what’s missing in a world dominated by smart phones and constant connectivity.
And is why here* is all in on making Offline a regularly recurring series.
We’re not the first or only ones thinking about this either. More and more, people are pushing back against the pull of digital life—seeking out moments where they can be present without the constant distraction of endless scrolling.
Organizations like The Offline Club are already proving how much people need this, creating tech-free spaces where connection happens naturally, without the pressure of being online.
The attention economy isn’t slowing down, but we don’t have to keep up.
Offline is our way of reclaiming space—reminding ourselves what it feels like to be in the world, without a screen between us.
What Are Offline Events?
Offline events are exactly what they sound like: in-person gatherings where technology takes a backseat.
No screens. No notifications. No pressure to document or “engage.”
Just time spent in real life, however you want to use it.
These aren’t networking events. There’s no icebreaker, no speaker lineup, no structured agenda.
Just an open space where you can come and go as you please—read, write, talk, or sit in silence.
Some people crave conversation. Others need a moment to be alone, but not isolated.
Offline events make space for both.
These offline events aren’t just a trend either. They are a response to something deeper.
We know what too much time online does to us—shorter attention spans, scattered focus, constant fatigue.
The effects are real, and we wrote about them in Brain Rot—how excessive digital consumption is rewiring our habits and reshaping our ability to engage with the real world.
And The Offline Club is already paving the way by proving how powerful it can be to step away.
Their gatherings strip away digital distractions, making room for conversations that aren’t cut short by notifications, and moments of stillness that aren’t interrupted by the next dopamine hit.
That’s the kind of space Offline is building. A pause button in a world that never stops.
Why Offline Events Are More Important Than Ever
We spend most of our waking hours online—scrolling, consuming, reacting.
The average person spends over 7 hours a day looking at a screen, and it’s not just a passive habit anymore. It’s shaping how we think, how we connect, and how we move through the world.
We’ve talked about this before in Brain Rot—how constant digital stimulation is rewiring our attention spans, making it harder to sit with boredom, creativity, or even deep thought.
The more we stay plugged in, the harder it becomes to engage with anything that doesn’t come with an instant reward.
Offline events push back against that.
They remind us what it feels like to be present without a screen acting as the middleman. They give us space to have conversations that don’t get cut short by notifications, to sit in silence without feeling like we need to “check” something, to be with others without the pressure of performance.
And people are craving it.
More than ever, people are looking for ways to unplug—not just for the sake of a “detox,” but to reclaim control over their attention.
The constant pull of digital life is exhausting, and offline events offer an alternative: a way to reset, reconnect, and exist without the weight of being online.
The Benefits of Attending Offline Events
Why step away from your screen? Because it changes things.
Offline events aren’t just about unplugging; they’re about what happens when you do.
Less noise, more clarity – When you take a break from the endless stream of content, your mind has room to settle. Thoughts slow down. Focus returns. You remember what it feels like to sit in stillness without reaching for your phone.
Better conversations – There’s no DMs, no comment sections, no curated personas—just face-to-face connection. Conversations unfold naturally, without the filter of social media.
Time to just exist – No pressure to network, no expectation to “make the most of it.” Just a space to be, however you need to be. Read. Write. Think. Rest. Sit in a quiet corner and do nothing at all. It’s all valid.
A real break from digital burnout – We’re constantly plugged in, constantly stimulated, constantly responding to something. Offline events give us a moment of relief—a reset button when everything else feels too loud.
This is why we started Offline.
To give people a space where none of the usual rules apply—where attention isn’t something to monetize, where you don’t have to “show up” in any way other than just being there.
How to Find and Participate in Offline Events
Offline events are happening everywhere—if you know where to look.
If you’re looking for a place to start, here’s how to find (or create) your own offline experience:
Join us at our next Offline event – We’re hosting events regularly, and you’re invited. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for details on upcoming gatherings.
Check out The Offline Club – They’re running incredible offline events in cities around the world, bringing people together in distraction-free spaces.
Seek out local tech-free gatherings – Whether it’s a silent reading club, an unplugged co-working session, or a phone-free dinner, more spaces are popping up that prioritize real-world connection.
Start your own – All you really need is a space and an intention. Invite a few people, make it tech-free, and let the rest unfold. No pressure, no structure—just time away from the noise.
The digital world isn’t going anywhere, but we don’t have to live in it all the time.
Going offline is a choice—and it’s one we need to make more often.
Conclusion
We spend so much time online that we forget what it feels like to be fully present.
Offline events are a reset. A reminder that we don’t have to exist in a constant state of distraction.
Yesterday’s event proved what we already knew—people are craving this.
A space to step away from screens, from notifications, from the pressure to always be available.
A space where conversation happens naturally, where silence isn’t something to fill, where presence isn’t just an idea—it’s the whole point.
That’s why Offline will continue. Every month, we’ll gather, tech-free, and give ourselves room to be—no agenda, no expectations, no pressure.