Singles Swap Dating Apps for 3-Plus Weekly Hobbies in 'Hobbyamory' Shift

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 9

A growing cohort of singles is putting hobbies ahead of dating, filling weeks with activities like salsa, chess and boxing instead of swiping on apps.
For many, the shift is driven by a search for self-connection and fulfillment after feeling stagnant or drained by conventional dating routines.
Tylo Laidlaw, 30, said his post-breakup hobby push in London expanded his social circle and made him feel more rounded, leaving him less focused on actively seeking a partner.
The trend, dubbed “hobbyamory,” channels time, energy and disposable income into interests from rock climbing to cake decorating, with participants saying fuller calendars make romance feel less urgent.