They Went to the Lake to Scream and Ended Up Creating Chicago’s Most Unexpected Wellness Ritual
Picture this: the Chicago skyline at golden hour, the waves of Lake Michigan crashing, the wind doing that dramatic hair-blowing thing, and a crowd of people standing on the pier screaming their hearts out.
Welcome to Scream Club Chicago, the city’s loudest form of self-care. No crystals, no yoga mats, just vibes, volume, and collective release. It’s like a rage room, but make it spiritual. Like therapy, but with more lung power.
The Moment Heard Around the Lake
It all started with one couple, Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, who had a rough week and decided to walk it off. They went to North Avenue Beach, took a deep breath, and let out a scream that could probably be heard in Indiana. And just like that, strangers started joining in. Within weeks, this tiny lakeside ritual blew up into a full-blown movement.
Now, every Sunday evening, Chicagoans gather to release their stress, grief, or maybe just their latest dating app drama. You write down what you’re letting go of on a piece of biodegradable paper, toss it into the lake, and scream your heart out as Manny counts down.
No sign-up. No fee. No judgment. Just community and catharsis, baby.
“Where You Scream and No One Thinks You’re Crazy”
That’s literally their tagline. “It just began like a little ritual for us, and in the span of a couple of weeks it’s just expanded,” Elena told NBC Chicago. “And it’s so amazing to see how many people really come to us and tell us this is something we need.”
And we do need it. Because let’s face it, adulting is exhausting. Between rent prices, burnout, and your mom asking when you’re getting married (again), sometimes you just need to yell into the abyss. Manny puts it best: “We’re always taught to kind of keep it in… to suppress our emotions.” Not at Scream Club; aquí se grita.
Latinas Be Like, “Finally, a Space Where I Can Yell Without Being Called Dramática”
For many of us who grew up in Latino households, showing emotion wasn’t exactly encouraged. You could break a bone and your mamá would still say, “Ya, no llores.” But that “aguántate” energy? It builds up. It sits in your body until one day you’re crying in your car because you dropped your cafecito. That’s why Scream Club hits so deep. It’s not just a wellness trend; it’s generational healing, a safe, collective, loud space to let it all out.
The Ritual: Write It, Toss It, Scream It
So here’s how it goes down: You show up to the pier (golden hour is prime time, obvio), you write down what you’re letting go of, “anxiety,” “toxic ex energy,” “that coworker who says ‘let’s circle back.’” Then, you toss that little papelito into the lake, take a deep breath, and scream from your soul. It’s not just noise; it’s release. It’s shaking off everything that’s been weighing you down.
And the best part? You look around and realize you’re not alone. Everyone else came carrying their own stuff, and suddenly, you’re all lighter, freer, and maybe even smiling. Post-scream, people chat, hug, sometimes cry, and always leave glowing like they just came back from a spiritual retreat (minus the $400 price tag).
The Movement Has Become A National Shout-Out
Chicago may have started it, but this scream heard around the world didn’t stop there. After their viral TikTok (nearly a million views, BTW), scream clubs started popping up everywhere: Scream Pittsburgh, Scream Kansas City, Scream Austin, all echoing Chicago’s energy.
Each city adds its own sazón. In Pittsburgh, founder Cassie Gillen (@screampittsburgh) calls it “a healthier way to channel the wrath that builds with every tunnel backup.” In Kansas City, organizers (Facebook: KC Scream Club) emphasize connection over chaos: “We’re not just here to scream, we’re here to form community.” And in Austin? Founder Krystal Morris (@screamclubatx) gives screaming technique tips so no one loses their voice mid-yell. Iconic.
Healing, But Make It Loud
Beyond the viral moments and sunset aesthetics, what makes Scream Club special is its heart. It’s a place where people can show up messy, no makeup, no mask, no pretending. Just you, your emotions, and a community of others doing the same. Because we’ve been conditioned to shrink ourselves, to smile through the struggle, to “be strong.” But strength can also mean surrender. It can mean saying, “Actually, I’m not fine,” and screaming about it until you are.
Let That Sh*t Out, Mija
If you’ve been holding it together a little too long, this is your sign to join the scream. Show up. Take a deep breath. Write it down. Let it out. Because sometimes healing isn’t about whispering affirmations, it’s about shouting them into the wind while your hoop earrings glint in the sunset.
Scream Club Chicago isn’t just a wellness trend; it’s a movement, a mood, and a reminder that you don’t have to carry it all alone. So go ahead, mija. Scream. It’s cheaper than therapy, more satisfying than revenge, and a whole lot healthier than sending that text.
Follow @screamclubchi to catch the next Sunday session. Bring your voice, your feelings, and maybe your comadres because healing, like chisme, is always better when shared.
