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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Niki Cottrell

I traded boozy nights for a hiking club – could this be the future of socialising?

I set off with a group of strangers to hike along the coast and made more friends than I expected to - (The Independent / Niki Cottrell)

In a world that’s increasingly searching for connection, a quiet shift is underway. More of us are trading the blurry aftermath of boozy weekends for something gentler – sober socials in the great outdoors are the latest wellness trend turning heads. And this extends to all generations, it’s not just gen Z who are becoming more health conscious.

I’ve been noticing that so many of us seem to be seeking moments that don’t leave us reeling, but instead restore us. From run clubs to phone-free retreats, a new kind of social scene is emerging. One where a good time doesn’t have to culminate in a morning of hangxiety, but instead in the clarity of the present.

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