Why Hospitality is Political (and What I Learned from Leaving My Phone at Home)
Why Stepping Away Helps Us Build Stronger Communities
Hospitality isn’t neutral. It’s political.
How we welcome people, create space for them to feel included, and shape the environments we work and live in—none of this happens by accident.
It reflects our values and the world we want to create.
That’s true whether you’re running a coworking space, hosting a dinner party, or even deciding how to show up in your life.
Between Will Gidera and Antony Bourdain, I’ve always got a pot bubbling away with a mix of food, connection and hospitality.
People often confuse hospitality and luxury, and they get carried away with the luxury part—the consumer part.
This week, I thought even more about hospitality—not just in the spaces I create for others but in how I create space for myself.
One of the most significant shifts?
I’ve stopped taking my phone everywhere.
Hospitality is Political
Hospitality isn’t about luxury.
It’s not the posh furniture or fancy coffee machines in a coworking space.
Hospitality is about inclusion.
It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, seen, and part of something bigger than themselves.
Think about it: what makes walking into a coworking space feel good?
It’s not the marble countertops.
It’s the person at the desk who greets you warmly.
The thoughtful details—like a space for new parents to work or a community event—spark meaningful conversations.
The best coworking spaces aren’t just places to work; they’re hubs for connection. And that doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes the intention to design a space where people feel they belong, reflecting values of equity and inclusion, not exclusivity.
Hospitality, at its core, is a choice.
And just like the choices we make in how we treat others, the choices we make in how we treat ourselves matter, too.
📚 Read On Linkedin - Coworking: Hospitality Isn't a Perk. It's the Point.
Creating Space for Yourself
This Saturday, I went for a long walk to practice Spanish with my friend Cristina.
Later, I cooked my favourite pork stew when we had family over for lunch.
Then I napped and, in the evening, watched Blade Runner for the first time in 25 years with our mate’s family and #supercoolson.
Here’s the thing: my phone was with me for hardly any of it.
I wasn’t scrolling, snapping photos, or getting sucked into the digital void.
I was just there—present in the moment.
For me, the problem isn’t notifications.
I’ve had those turned off for years.
The real danger is the doomscrolling spiral—the moment I open social media and search for… what?
- Inspiration?
- Validation?
- Whatever it is, it’s never there.
Instead, I get hit with a toxic cocktail of comparison and distraction.
Scrolling through other people’s curated lives drains my energy.
Instead of fueling my creativity, it leaves me stuck in self-doubt.
And that’s the cost: my mental bandwidth gets wasted on content that doesn’t matter instead of being used for things that do.
When I leave my phone behind, I keep more of myself.
My head feels more precise, my creativity flows better, and I’m free to focus on the people and projects that matter.
3 Ways to Rethink Hospitality (for Others and Yourself)
Make Inclusion Your Priority
Whether you run a coworking space or host an event, ask yourself: Who might feel excluded here, and how can I change that?
Create spaces where everyone feels welcome, not just the most privileged or visible voices.
Reclaim Space for Yourself
Try this: Leave your phone behind for one day.
You can go for a walk, cook a meal, or spend time with your community without the constant buzz of notifications or the scrolling spiral of social media.
Notice how it feels to be present.
Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
In coworking, hospitality is about the human details: remembering someone’s name, hosting events encouraging genuine interaction, or simply listening.
Luxury impresses, but the connection keeps people coming back.
🎙️Listen: Where Work is Heading: The Science of Flexibility with Denise Brouder.
Closing Thoughts
Hospitality is about creating space—whether for others or yourself. It’s not about doing more but about being intentional with your choices.
When you put your phone away, design a coworking space that prioritizes belonging over exclusivity, or spend a Saturday just to be present—you’re making a statement about what matters to you.
The Takeaway Challenge:
- Leave your phone off your desk or at home for one day this week.
- Reflect on how it changes your focus, creativity, and connection to those around you.
Because sometimes, the biggest win isn’t solving every problem—it’s carving out space to breathe and be fully present.
Bernie J. Mitchell
Coworking Strategist, Creator, & Early Morning Dishwasher Emptier
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