The Importance of Community (Especially when life feels heavy)

I was reminded this week how important community really is.

I’ve just returned from a monthly women’s circle, and it was exactly what I needed. There was tea. There was warmth. There were stories shared gently, without interruption or distraction. Phones were on silent, tucked away. No one scrolling. No one half-listening. Just presence.

And it struck me how rare that feels.

I’m going through a particularly tough time right now. I recently received the devastating news that someone I love is terminally ill. It’s the kind of news that sits in your chest. The kind you carry quietly while still trying to get on with daily life.

What I realised, sitting in that circle, is that community creates space. Space to soften. Space to say out loud what you’ve been holding in. Space to feel witnessed without being fixed. There is something profoundly comforting about knowing you have people’s full attention. Not attention divided between you and a notification. Not eyes flicking down to a screen mid-sentence. But steady, human presence.

In that circle, we practiced deep listening. Listening without preparing a response. Without interrupting. Without trying to solve. Just holding space for one another.

It is a simple act. And yet it feels radical. When you gather with others in the right environment — one built on intention, safety and warmth — something shifts.

You don’t feel so alone with your thoughts. You remember that being human is a shared experience.

And that is exactly why Laura and I care so deeply about creating offline spaces.

Our Next Digital Detox Café — 19th March, 6pm at The Den

On 19th March at 6pm, we’re gathering again at The Den — our favourite café and the perfect cosy setting for an evening offline. There’s something about The Den that naturally invites people to slow down. Warm lighting, comforting drinks, a sense of ease. It feels like a space designed for connection.

Our Digital Detox Café is simple but intentional — a screen-free gathering built on presence, warmth, and real conversation. At our cafés, phones don’t just go on silent — they check into our Tech Motel for the evening. It’s a small ritual, but a powerful one. The physical act of placing your phone away signals something important: I am here.

And when we remove the distraction, something else becomes possible: deep listening. The last café was particularly special. There was a softness in the room. Strangers arrived cautiously — as we often do — and left having shared stories they might not normally voice in everyday conversation. We played a hygge-inspired question game, designed to ask questions that require openness and reflection. The kind of questions that spark meaningful conversation rather than polite small talk.

There was laughter. There were thoughtful pauses. There were moments of real listening — the kind where you feel heard rather than simply replied to. And that beautiful moment when you realise the person opposite you isn’t a stranger anymore.

No phones. Just human beings, together. We hope to see you at our next cafe for more meaningful conversations, or simply sitting together doing some art or for those who prefer some quiet time, simply giving you the space to sit in a corner comfortably with a journal/art/book.

And if you can’t make 19th March we’re gathering again on 21st May, so there’s another opportunity to join us.

Buy your ticket here

Looking for Something Deeper? The 30-Day Tech Reset

If the café is a gentle doorway, our 30-Day Tech Reset is the deeper work.

Launched this year, our guided programme is designed to help you reset your relationship with technology in a way that feels realistic, supportive and sustainable.

Not extreme. Not anti-tech. Not about deleting everything and retreating from life permanently.

Just intentional.

Both versions follow the same four-week rhythm, with simple weekly steps, science-backed tools, and gentle challenges. No shame. No guilt. Just small, practical shifts that make a big difference.

We offer two versions:

The Family Reset

Created for households with children aged approximately 7–14, this version supports families in setting healthier digital boundaries while strengthening connection at home.

The Individual Reset (18+)

Designed for adults ready to feel less reactive, less distracted, and more in control of their time and attention.

Each week builds gradually, helping you create habits that actually stick.

Bonus Extras

Along the way, you’ll receive:

• Expert tips to help you understand what’s really happening in your brain and behaviour

• Easy printables to keep you focused and accountable

• Special discounts and offline perks from our local and national partners — including Padlock App, Balance Phone, glamping sites, saunas, stationery brands and more

We want this to feel practical and inspiring — not restrictive.

Because this isn’t about removing joy. It’s about reclaiming your attention.

If gathering offline feels good, imagine what 30 days of intentional change could do.

Find out more here

Real life is our obsession.

Warmly, Nicola and Laura