Context:

Amid a loneliness surge, younger adults are increasingly choosing real-life meetups built around shared activities—ranging from birding and mahjong to trivia and crafts—to foster connection beyond digital routines. The trend, described as embracing “soft socializing,” features both platonic and dating-oriented gatherings as people seek less doomscrolling and more meaningful interactions. Notable signals include a 94% jump in mahjong events this year, and initiatives like Axios’ own Social Club expanding to multiple cities. The movement reflects a broader push toward in-person community-building, with organizers aiming to spark sustained engagement and new social networks.

Dive Deeper:

• Young people aged across Millennials and Gen Z are pushing beyond online interactions to attend IRL meetups centered on activities that were once considered solitary, signaling a shift in social behavior.

• Cole Robinson, president of the Audubon on Campus chapter at Trinity University, emphasizes birding as a case study for reducing loneliness and encouraging casual, informal socialization.

• Event platforms report a notable rise in so-called soft socializing experiences, where participants are physically together but engage in relaxed, low-pressure interaction.

• Mahjong-related events have surged by about 94% earlier this year, illustrating a concrete example of activity-led gatherings driving attendance.

• Platforms and media outlets describe a broader trend where people look for romantic or platonic connection through structured group activities, aiming to replace passive scrolling with active engagement.

• Media outlet Axios is expanding its own in-person efforts with the Axios Social Club, launching a dinner series in multiple cities to convene readers and foster new connections.