Logging Off Club: April
Reflections
Many of us spend the majority of our work weeks feeling lonely, despite how many people we’re constantly ‘connecting with’. All it takes is a couple of positive interactions with strangers to change that around entirely. Recently, whenever I feel pulled to, I’ll lean into talking to strangers. Whether complimenting an outfit, asking for directions or just wishing someone a good rest of their day, it’s transformative not only for your mood but has helped me feel so much more like a part of my local community, having recently moved to London.
Try and talk to a stranger every day this week. Observe how it makes you feel and note down what magical moments of connection you end up having.
Also reflecting on all the amazing events put on by our facilitators…
Logging Off Club could not reach nearly enough people without you! Thank you for creating these spaces. You are building communities!
Our HQLT this month
(high-quality-leisure-time)
ADELE:
Eating lunch in the park, journaling and reading outside, swimming, going to see Nooriyah with my friend Layla, a mooch at the carboot, walking along the canal, making my own granola, a solo trip to Walthamstow Wetlands (Europe’s largest urban wetland nature reserve!)
INDIA:
Housesitting. Digging, so much digging. Planting a Fig tree at the allotment. Dinners with colleagues while away in the Wye Valley. A random encounter with a lady releasing homing pigeons. A trip to the Isle of Wight. A spring clean of my bike. Riding said bike. Enjoying the first BBQ of the season.
April’s guide to being Offline
Create a “Phone Hotel”
Use a box or designated area to store your phone, especially during work hours, meals, and before bed.
What we’re reading
FICTION
Half His Age, by Jennette McCurdy.
NON-FICTION
The Power of Stranger, by Joe Keohane.
The Extinction of Experience, by Christine Rosen.
LONG FORM-CONTENT
I went analog and started critical thinking again
Watch here.
News in the offline world
Campaigners welcome Meta and YouTube’s defeat in landmark social media addiction trial. Read here.
Thinker of the month
Cory Doctorow
Author and technology activist and the man who coined the term ‘enshittification’ to describe the universal experience of how technology platforms went from ‘it’ to ‘shit’. Read his recent interview with the Royal Society of Arts on life after the AI crash, who really regulates tech firms, and why we need a post-American internet.
What we’re listening to
Offline events this month
Noticing Walk
By Logging Off Club Rushmoor
Join our friendly group for a walk across Caesar’s Camp. We encourage you to take in your surroundings mindfully and enjoy exploring this beautiful space.
This event is part of the Green Fringe Festival, which encourages people to explore the green spaces local to them. All welcome.
Caesar’s Camp, Farnham
Sunday 31st May
1600-1800
Free (Reserve space here)
Skincare, Self Care, Connection
By Logging Off Club Bristol X LUSH
LUSH, Cabot Circus
Sunday 31st May
1730-1930
£10 (suggested). Book tickets here.
Journal prompt
Write three things you're grateful for.
Two lessons or insights from your day, and..
One intention for tomorrow.
See you in May,
India & Adele
I also didn’t enjoy ‘Half his age’, but highly recommend Jennette McCurdy’s true account of her life ‘I’m glad my mom died’. It was written so well it almost read like a story and I finished it being glad she died too.