Introducing…The Offline Movement

Alright, alright…you guys know I am constantly bitching about online dating. Well I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and try to change the way we, as a society, date.

I had this idea a year ago…I was on a date with a guy I met online, quickly realizing that we had zero chemistry (although he was a good looking, successful man…someone I SHOULD be attracted to, right)? And I got to thinking, man, something is really missing here. There is just no way to predict chemistry between two people who have never met in person. It’s impossible. And I think those who do find an authentic connection are lucky and few and far between…and the rest of us just suffer, date after date of disappointment.

So while I was on this date I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be cool if all the single people at Starbucks had a bubble over their head, like a beacon of light, announcing their relationship status? Wouldn’t it be cool if you were at the grocery store and could tell if the hot girl in the produce section was single? And if you knew, would you approach her?

Side note: I once approached a hot guy in the gym (who was not wearing his wedding ring) because I thought he was single. And because I’m a badass and go after what I want…but that’s beside the point. Anywho, long story short, he’s married with three kids. But how would I have known? No ring = single in my book. But not everyone wears rings. Especially at the gym.

So with these two experiences under my belt, I decided that something needed to change. There had to be away to meet people in person that didn’t involve cheesy singles events or drunken nights at the club (especially for those of us older folk). But how? How am I going to make a bubble appear above everyone’s head declaring their single status? I know! A wristband! (Ahhhhhhh…queue the angels singing)

I rolled the idea around in my head day and night, thinking about how I could make this something that would catch on. I knew from my personal experiences, and the experiences of every person I’ve ever talked to in my life, that online dating has run it’s course. Even in the last two years, things have shifted dramatically. People rarely go on dates anymore…they spend forever texting and then it all just fizzles away. People are becoming complacent, bored and sick and tired of it all.

So I created The Offline Movement. This isn’t just a tool for dating: this is a social change. It’s not only a wristband you wear to let the world know you’re available, it’s a way of life. It’s a matter of supporting real life connections, authentic relationships and reducing the amount of time we spend behind screens. We have got to get back to reality, people. We have to get away from the rose-colored glasses of Instagram or the perfect pictures on Facebook. We need to speak to each other, support one another, live in reality.

I invite you to check out my website, www.theofflinemovement.com, and watch my video here. My goal is to expand this movement far and wide, in order to bring people closer together. It goes far beyond dating.. but dating is our most emergent need. I hope that you will share my story with others and make this movement a huge success! I am forever grateful to all who support my endeavors.

Much love!

Michelle