We all know how easy it is to find yourself swiping on your phone for hours on end, wondering where the time has gone. But, if you want to be a bit more intentional about time away from your screen, we might have found the perfect solution.
The Offline Club are an organisation determined to get people to swap screen time for real time. They run events to encourage people to unplug, relax and connect with like-minded people.
One of their latest events, a one hour Reading Rave, is happening this month in London and it’s one not to be missed.
What happens at a reading rave?
The concept is pretty simple. Attendees are invited to turn their phones off, slow down and read for an hour in the centre of London.
The event is set to take place on 23 May at Granary Square, Kings Cross, at the steps overlooking the canal. It’s a gorgeous location, especially on a sunny day, so let’s hope the rain stays away that day.
The session kicks off at at 2pm, but attendees are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before to settle in and are invited to stay after the hour is done to mingle with other readers.
With 35% of Londoners saying they feel lonely, and with the rise of group activities such as run clubs and walking clubs, events like this are really helping people connect in a city where it can often feel impossible.
And if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy mass exercise (totally fair, to be honest) then this more chilled activity could be the perfect way to meet like-minded people, and bond over your shared love of reading.
How do I get involved?
All you need to do is register with the organisers for your free ticket and turn up at the allocated time and place.
You just need to bring your chosen book, something to sit on and anything that’ll make your reading experience as enjoyable as possible. Remember, it’s all about trading notifications for novels, so phones will have to be turned off for the reading hour.