A guide to Having Fun in Post-Doomscrolling Society

Before everything became something we watch, we used to do more things in real life. Not big plans, not expensive plans. Just things that gave us a reason to leave the house, see people, or pass time without thinking too much about it. Somewhere along the way, those habits were replaced with scrolling. It became easier to open an app than to make a plan.

Lately, though, some of those behaviors are coming back and ironically they are trending online too. Not in a dramatic way, but in small, repeatable ways that fit into everyday life. We are finding things to do again that do not require a screen, a big budget, or a special occasion. And the appeal is simple. It feels better to participate than to watch.

Running Clubs as Social Spaces

Running clubs are one of the clearest examples. While they appear to be about fitness, for many of us they function as social spaces. They give us a reason to show up at a specific time, a shared activity that removes the need for constant conversation, and a rhythm we can return to weekly. The appeal is simple. It makes socializing easier and less dependent on planning.

An Anything-Party

A similar logic applies to how we now frame gatherings, specifically at-home-gatherings. Technically, anything can be a party. Millennials pioneered the custom party, but since everyone seems to be busier than ever nowadays, the “custom” part is no longer mandatory. The theme could just be showing your friends something cool or doing an unserious activity together. For example; a “dress like Jacob Elordi” party, a “fantasy romance book reading” party, or a “new album listening" party. The possibilities are endless.

The party concept no longer depends on scale or occasion. A small dinner, a house-gathering, and a sleepover are all perfect settings for a party on a Tuesday evening that can simply end at 10:00 pm. Calling it a party gives it shape without adding complexity. It allows us to turn something ordinary into something joyful. The truth is, we never needed a specific reason to enjoy friends and family’s company but we need a plan to show-up. Sometimes a simple, lighthearted plan works just fine.

Lookalike Contests and Public Social Culture

We are also using public space differently. Lookalike contests, often built around specific or humorous references, bring people together through shared recognition. They are easy to understand and simple to join. There is no expectation beyond participation. We gather, observe, and take part in something that feels open and accessible.

The Shift to Daytime Socializing

We are also spending more time together during the day. Morning coffees, early walks, midday plans. These moments are easier to maintain and repeat. They do not rely on intensity. They allow for consistency, which makes connection more sustainable.

Playing Dress-Up in Everyday Life

Alongside this, dressing has taken on a more active role. We are returning to the idea of dressing up within everyday life. Outfits are built around moods or references. A simple plan becomes a reason to dress differently. This is not about transformation, but about variation. Clothing becomes a way to engage with the day.

A More Sustainable Social Life

What we are building is simple, but it works. A social life based on repetition, accessibility, and shared presence. Not something we wait for, but something we maintain. At the same time, there is a growing fatigue with phone-centered interaction. These activities give us something to do that does not revolve around a screen. They redirect our attention outward. They give us somewhere to be and a reason to return.

The irony lies in the way a post-scrolling society can be discussed online too. But the question is whether this is temporary or something more lasting. it is still unclear if we are fully there. We are starting to step away, but not completely. We are still connected, still checking, still returning.

Maybe the point is not to leave it behind entirely. Maybe it is to build something alongside it. A way of living that does not depend on constant consumption and does not revolve around a screen. Something smaller and easier to sustain. So the question remains. Are we there yet. And more importantly, are we ready for that change?