The future is not “IRL” - 8club - Add life to your calendar

You have probably seen the viral posts and reels.

"2026 is the year of analog." "Offline is the new luxury."
I am here to tell you that none of that is true. At least not entirely.
Communities and third spaces are not some magical fix-it-all that will take care of everything in a second.

What the “year of analog” has gotten wrong, is that it identifies a lack of communities as the problem. Or excessive screen times. But newsflash, offline life wasn't invented in 2026, it has always existed. Events and communities have always existed. Third spaces, too.

The issue isn't that there is no system for living life offline. The issue is that the system is broken.
What does that mean and how do we fix it? Let’s get into it.

You have probably seen the viral posts and reels.

"2026 is the year of analog." "Offline is the new luxury."
I am here to tell you that none of that is true. At least not entirely.
Communities and third spaces are not some magical fix-it-all that will take care of everything in a second.

What the “year of analog” has gotten wrong, is that it identifies a lack of communities as the problem. Or excessive screen times. But newsflash, offline life wasn't invented in 2026, it has always existed. Events and communities have always existed. Third spaces, too.

The issue isn't that there is no system for living life offline. The issue is that the system is broken.
What does that mean and how do we fix it? Let’s get into it.

Why is "real life" trending?

2026 began with an online movement (ironically) urging people to ditch their smartphones, switch to dumb phones, and to spend more time in the real world.

The movement has largely been led by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, generations that have never known a world without screens. And that, right there, is the key to understanding this trend.

Unlike millennials, technology is not a cool thing they discovered. Instead, they entered a world already marked by technology. It is the environment they grew up in.

So of course, they are the ones who notice its effects the most. Brain fog, lower attention spans, and connections that feel limited to social media while they struggle to foster meaningful relationships.

Yes, digicams, vinyls, and colourful flip phones are aesthetic. They are fascinating for the younger generation. But their present popularity isn’t just nostalgia or an interest in “Y2K” aesthetics. It is people's attempt to replicate that era into their own lives - a time when life was not swallowed up by screen times.

2026 began with an online movement (ironically) urging people to ditch their smartphones, switch to dumb phones, and to spend more time in the real world.

The movement has largely been led by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, generations that have never known a world without screens. And that, right there, is the key to understanding this trend.

Unlike millennials, technology is not a cool thing they discovered. Instead, they entered a world already marked by technology. It is the environment they grew up in.

So of course, they are the ones who notice its effects the most. Brain fog, lower attention spans, and connections that feel limited to social media while they struggle to foster meaningful relationships.

Yes, digicams, vinyls, and colourful flip phones are aesthetic. They are fascinating for the younger generation. But their present popularity isn’t just nostalgia or an interest in “Y2K” aesthetics. It is people's attempt to replicate that era into their own lives - a time when life was not swallowed up by screen times.

The shift

Enter: Curated Pinterest-y posts about “chasing whimsy”, “bringing back communities”, and whatnot. Even if you think the analog movement is just a fad, you have to admit - it has been persistent.

People are chasing a slow and intentional life. Sober raves have become a thing. Not just cafés but even lifestyle and apparel brands are organising IRL community gatherings. Celebrities are opening book clubs, home-based dining experiences have surged. The list is endless. The verdict? Still complicated.

Enter: Curated Pinterest-y posts about “chasing whimsy”, “bringing back communities”, and whatnot. Even if you think the analog movement is just a fad, you have to admit - it has been persistent.

People are chasing a slow and intentional life. Sober raves have become a thing. Not just cafés but even lifestyle and apparel brands are organising IRL community gatherings. Celebrities are opening book clubs, home-based dining experiences have surged. The list is endless. The verdict? Still complicated.

So, what's missing?

A bridge. And more importantly - true intentionality, not just a lousy attempt at it.

The move towards an offline life started off with good intentions. In some ways, it still is. But something has shifted along the way. From young people trying to find meaningful connections and building a support system, “community” has turned into a buzzword. A quick route to loyalty for brands and celebrities.

Everyone wants to “own” a community, but nobody wants to nurture or show up for one. “Analog” has become "things to buy", not an attempt to live a slow life.

And that's where the problem lies. Without the sincerity, the concept loses its meaning. We have countless offline gatherings happening in our cities, but they can never fix the connection or loneliness problem at our hands.

Why? Because a trend doesn’t know you.
Only you know what would genuinely improve your Tuesday evening. What would make you leave the house.
Only you understand the nuances of your neighbourhood, your interests, your city, your people.

What works in one community might completely fall flat in another. Experiences need to be hyper-localised, keeping you and people like you at the centre.

A bridge. And more importantly - true intentionality, not just a lousy attempt at it.

The move towards an offline life started off with good intentions. In some ways, it still is. But something has shifted along the way. From young people trying to find meaningful connections and building a support system, “community” has turned into a buzzword. A quick route to loyalty for brands and celebrities.

Everyone wants to “own” a community, but nobody wants to nurture or show up for one. “Analog” has become "things to buy", not an attempt to live a slow life.

And that's where the problem lies. Without the sincerity, the concept loses its meaning. We have countless offline gatherings happening in our cities, but they can never fix the connection or loneliness problem at our hands.

Why? Because a trend doesn’t know you.
Only you know what would genuinely improve your Tuesday evening. What would make you leave the house.
Only you understand the nuances of your neighbourhood, your interests, your city, your people.

What works in one community might completely fall flat in another. Experiences need to be hyper-localised, keeping you and people like you at the centre.

The solution nobody is talking about

Hosting. Not bigger events, not more events. More hosts. That’s it.

When people who want to go out are at the centre of experiences, the difference is undeniable. Something magical happens when people stop waiting for the perfect gathering and start creating it.

A city starts to feel alive when more people are creating experiences that reflect who they are, not when a handful of people or brands are creating experiences for everyone.

A book lover hosts a reading club.
A runner starts a neighbourhood run club.
A chef hosts a dinner for strangers.

Those are the rooms that make people feel seen.

Hosting. Not bigger events, not more events. More hosts. That’s it.

When people who want to go out are at the centre of experiences, the difference is undeniable. Something magical happens when people stop waiting for the perfect gathering and start creating it.

A city starts to feel alive when more people are creating experiences that reflect who they are, not when a handful of people or brands are creating experiences for everyone.

A book lover hosts a reading club.
A runner starts a neighbourhood run club.
A chef hosts a dinner for strangers.

Those are the rooms that make people feel seen.

TL;DR

“Community” is not a thing to be consumed or sold in masses. It needs to be created, thoughtfully put together by those who know its value. An “IRL” or offline shift will happen only when more people start taking the first step.

Meaning, the people attending experiences are also the people creating them. A culture of hosting. People who shape how their city connects, gathers, and spends time together.

The question is, what would you create if you knew people would show up?

“Community” is not a thing to be consumed or sold in masses. It needs to be created, thoughtfully put together by those who know its value. An “IRL” or offline shift will happen only when more people start taking the first step.

Meaning, the people attending experiences are also the people creating them. A culture of hosting. People who shape how their city connects, gathers, and spends time together.

The question is, what would you create if you knew people would show up?