In a city that never stops moving, finding a space to pause and simply feel can be rare. Yet, in Mumbai, a quiet new trend is starting to change that. The city has just seen the opening of its first cry club, a place where people pay for an hour to let their emotions flow freely. It may sound odd at first. Why would anyone pay to cry? But for many, this simple act is turning out to be a powerful form of release.
What Exactly Are Cry Clubs?
Crying clubs are emerging as unique spaces where people come together to shed their tears without fear of judgement. The idea is inspired by a Japanese practice known as Ruikatsu, which translates to the act of shedding tears for emotional release. In Japan, this movement began as a way for people to gather and let out their emotions in a safe and supportive setting.
A cry club offers more than just a room to cry in. It provides an inviting, non-judgemental atmosphere with dim lights, calming drinks like tea, and a group of listeners who are there to understand rather than fix anything. Whether someone is struggling with heartbreak, workplace stress, or just the weight of everyday life, these clubs encourage people to express their emotions freely.
Events are often designed to help participants open up. Emotional films, heartfelt stories, or even guided sessions led by professionals known as “tear facilitators” are used to create a space where tears can flow naturally. The core belief behind this practice is that crying helps release pent-up feelings, offering a sense of relief and emotional clarity.
Why Do People Pay to Cry?
It is not the act of crying they pay for. It is the permission. In busy cities, people carry their stress quietly. They hide their heartbreaks at work, keep their disappointments to themselves, and put on a brave face in public. Crying at home is not always easy either. Someone might walk in, questions may follow, or the moment may pass. Cry clubs give that moment back. For a fee, you get privacy, time, and acceptance to feel what you need to feel that too with no judgments.
The Healing Side of Tears
Crying is not just emotional. It is physical too. Scientists have found that tears release stress hormones. They help the body relax, steady the heartbeat, and often improve sleep. After a good cry, people report feeling lighter and more focused. Mental health experts see it as a reset button for the mind, one that clears away tension before it builds up into something worse.
Why Cry Clubs Feel Safe
For many, the biggest relief is knowing they will not be judged. Nobody asks, “What happened?” or tells them to stop. Some clubs allow small groups where strangers cry together. Others keep it private with one person in a quiet room. The setting itself, soft chairs, warm lights, a box of tissues nearby, makes it easier to let go. People often leave saying they feel calm, even clear-headed, ready to step back into their routines.
Mumbai Joins a Global Movement
Cry clubs are not new. Japan has had them for years. Cities in the United States and Europe have experimented with them too. Mumbai opening its first cry club shows how attitudes in India are shifting. Emotional health is starting to matter as much as physical fitness. This club offers one-hour sessions, guided if you want them, for anyone carrying stress, heartbreak, or simple exhaustion from daily life.
It Is Also About Connection
Some visitors find that crying in a shared space makes them feel less alone. It does not always need words. Just being with others who also need to let go can bring a sense of belonging. In a world where everyone seems to be doing fine on the outside, that quiet connection can be healing.
Is This a Sign of Our Times?
Not everyone is convinced. Some say it is sad that people must pay to express something so human. Others argue it is no different from therapy or a gym membership. You pay for the space, not the feeling. As modern life gets busier and more disconnected, perhaps creating a place for honest emotion is not so strange after all.
Cry clubs are neither meant to replace crying at home, nor do they claim to fix everything. They offer one more tool to cope with stress. Crying has long been seen as a weakness, especially for adults. Now, spaces like these are quietly rewriting that belief. In a city that celebrates ambition, a place that allows people to pause and cry might be exactly what was missing.
