You’ve heard of oxygen chambers and IV drips. You’ve probably tried a morning routine, a breath-work app, or even a cold plunge. But there’s a new kind of wellness bubbling up that has nothing to do with tech, and everything to do with togetherness. And as you can imagine, we are right on board with it. We are it.
It’s Analogue Wellness and tapping into the Fourth Space. And it might just be the wellness trend that defines 2025.
What Is the Fourth Space?
Let’s back up. Sociologists talk about three traditional “spaces” we occupy in life:
- First space: Home
- Second space: Work
- Third space: Social hubs, like pubs, cafés, gyms, or your favourite bookshop
But now, a fourth space is emerging. Online fatigue and lack of in-person connection has created the concept of a "fourth space" which refers to a space that is neither home, work, nor a traditional public space (like a pub or coffee shop), but rather a space for creativity, social interaction, and community. Unlike “third spaces” which are characterised by a public location, fourth places prioritise why you’re gathering rather than where. It’s analogue, offline, and rooted in real-life shared experiences. They bring people together through shared interests and passions.
The fourth space isn’t about productivity or performance, it’s about unhurried, screen-free connection with others, with your surroundings, and with yourself. It’s a new space that brings online communities into real life to connect face to face, human to human.
Think:
- The Offline Club meet ups
- Hiking clubs for nature lovers
- Running clubs for physical activity
- Sauna and cold plunge sessions
- Community spaces for analogue hobbies like pottery
- Offline retreats in nature
These aren’t just retreats or exclusive wellness clubs. They’re everyday places where people can show up, slow down, and connect over shared interests, without notifications buzzing in the background.
Why Do We Need a Fourth Space?
Because most of us are digitally exhausted. We’re more connected than ever, but somehow lonelier. Most modern “togetherness” is filtered through screens: group chats, work calls, social media posts, endless scrolling. Even traditional third spaces (like cafés and co-working spots) now come with WiFi passwords and laptop zones.
We’re craving spaces where real, messy, offline life happens. The fourth space is a cultural pushback. It bridges the online and real-life worlds and brings people together through shared interests, whether that’s hiking, cycling, pottery or simply being.
Which is Why Analogue Wellness Is On the Rise
We’re seeing a massive shift from online to offline, with 95% of 18 to 35-year-olds want to explore online interests in person and 73% say they’re likely to attend an event in the next six months. Not only in the wellbeing space, but in our every day lives.
- Sales of film cameras, board games and physical books are booming
- Search trends for “offline hobbies” and “how to make friends as an adult” are climbing
- Community-led, screen-free events like run clubs, offline clubs and meet ups are appears from people and brands.
This is analogue wellness. And it’s powering the fourth space.
How to Find (or Create) Your Own Fourth Space
You don’t have to move to the woods or join a retreat. Fourth spaces can be small, local, and simple. You just need:
- No screens (or at least, minimal ones)
- A shared activity or interest
- An open, unpolished vibe
Try:
- Hosting a monthly analogue night like vinyl, board games, journaling
- Joining a book club or walking group
- Spending a weekend at a place that encourages offline time (like… 👀)
The Fourth Space Is the Future of Wellness
In 2025, wellness won’t just be about green juices or yoga apps. It’ll be about spaces, the kind that invite presence, play, and proper human connection.
The fourth space isn’t a trend for the sake of it. It’s a return to something we forgot we needed. At Unplugged, we’ve watched it happen in real time. Guests arrive at our cabins and lock away their phones for 3 days. What they find is more than just quiet, they find connection. Whether it’s chatting with a stranger over a morning coffee or joining a spontaneous board game by candlelight, something special happens when the digital noise disappears.
Our cabins have become a kind of fourth space in the wild. A space to share real conversations, real connection, and real rest.
