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Unplug & Unwind with Touch Grass, the Outdoor Club for Girlies Looking to Ditch Screens for Some Sun
Let’s be real, many of us desperately need to cut down on screen time. Between doomscrolling, endless group chats, and binge-watching literally anything, it’s easy to forget there’s a whole world beyond the glow of our devices. That’s where Touch Grass steps in. This all-female community might just be the answer for those looking to reconnect with nature and log off from digital life.
How it started
The idea of creating an outdoor community for women came to Asirah Abdul Kadir and Naylisa Husni in late 2024. But it wasn’t until February 2025 that the best friend duo began putting their plans into action.
More than just founders, both Asirah and Naylisa were also the ones handling everything — from planning to executing the club’s activities.
“It’s a two-woman show. But to be more specific, Asirah handles sponsorships, PR, and marketing, while Naylisa is in charge of operations, logistics, and finance.”
When asked why they chose the name Touch Grass, the duo said it was a playful nod to a popular internet slang phrase often used to tell someone to go outside and engage with the real world after spending too much time online.
“Being the chronically online Gen Zs that we are, it was only natural to name our club Touch Grass. It just fits our mission so well and resonates with the young women in our community who probably use the phrase in their daily lexicon too.”
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyThe inspiration behind Touch Grass
Like many great ideas, Touch Grass was inspired by something similar in this case, an Indonesian movement called Nomaden Club. However, unlike that group, which focuses on occasional female-only trips, Asirah and Naylisa wanted Touch Grass to be more accessible for women who might not have the time or capacity for long getaways.
After much research, the duo decided to make Touch Grass an outdoor club that hosts diverse monthly activities.
When asked why they chose to make it an all-female club, they credited their full-time jobs as the spark behind the idea.
“We both have full-time jobs, Asirah is a social media manager and Naylisa is a product manager. A lot of our time is spent indoors, staring at laptops and scrolling through social media. So it was only natural for us to create something that motivates us to take a break from our screens and soak up some vitamin D.”
They also shared that Touch Grass was created to give women — especially solo movers, a safe space to explore the outdoors with other women.
While Touch Grass welcomes women of all ages, most of the community members are working Gen Zs and millennials. The duo suspects many of them are also looking for an escape from the 9-to-5 grind and a space to experience nature with like-minded women.
“Our suspicion was confirmed when we got responses like, ‘I want to participate. I need to stop bed rotting,’ and ‘As someone who doesn’t have friends that like to touch grass, I love you for making this.’”
The club’s first public event was a milestone
Touch Grass held its first event at Taman Tugu with a group of Asirah and Naylisa’s friends. Although it was originally planned as a pilot hike, their friends loved the idea so much that they started spreading the word.
The community’s first-ever public event was a stand-up paddling session. According to the duo, about 20 women from across KL and Selangor joined them at the Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre (LRC).
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyAt the time, Asirah and Naylisa noticed that many participants came alone but they were pleasantly surprised to see everyone bonding quickly.
“It was so touching to see these women, who were essentially strangers, helping each other out and encouraging one another to be brave and start paddling. By the end, everyone was cracking jokes, chatting, and even racing across the lake. Girlhood really shined bright that day.”
How to join Touch Grass
Joining the community isn’t complicated. The duo jokingly said all you need is to be a woman and be down to explore Mother Nature. “But to be more specific, those who want to participate in our monthly activities can DM us on Instagram once registrations open.”
When asked how many people usually join, Asirah said they try to keep events intimate — around 10 to 20 participants. While the number may seem small, it’s intentional.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily“We know that socialising in a huge crowd can be overwhelming and sometimes superficial. That’s why we keep things small — so everyone can participate at their own pace, without pressure to perform or interact.”
Since Touch Grass is still in its early stages, the duo admitted it’s been challenging to attract sponsors and partners.
“It’s understandable, considering we’re still new. But when brands do say yes to our proposals, it’s reassuring to know they truly understand and support our vision.”
What’s next for Touch Grass?
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyWhen asked about future plans, Asirah and Naylisa shared that they’ve received invitations from women across Malaysia to host events in other states. They also hope to expand the community to include mothers and children — especially young girls.
“With 91% of Malaysian children aged 13 to 17 spending most of their time on social media, it would be amazing if we could pull them away from their screens and back into the real world. Maybe it’ll even spark an interest in caring for Mother Nature.”
In the near future, Touch Grass will be hosting a community hike at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi and swimming lessons at the MMU Swimming Pool Complex in Cyberjaya.
For more information about upcoming activities, head over to Touch Grass’s Instagram.
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
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