As a kid you did not have to think about it. School, sports club, the neighbourhood: contact happened on its own. As an adult those structures fade. You want to do something, but not where, how or with whom. That is normal. And fixable.
Nearly half of Dutch adults experience loneliness. Not because they cannot be social, but because it is harder to find activities that fit who you are now. Below: 25 concrete options by type, plus platforms and a plan to start within two weeks.
Some formats are built so you do not need to know anyone and still do not sit alone. MyTable does that every Sunday: take a seat, a host holds the vibe, four wines and bites. First the full list.
Moving: the easiest way to make contact
In a group you do not need to be interesting. You are busy, conversation follows, and the activity removes social pressure.
- Walking groups via community centres, Klup or local loneliness initiatives
- Cycling clubs without heavy commitments
- Yoga, swimming, boules: the real social moment is often the coffee afterwards
Creative workshops that quietly connect
Your attention stays on the task. Conversation grows organically, not forced.
- Cooking workshops (often €60 to €120 pp)
- Painting and dance classes
- Writing clubs, amateur music or a language course: shared learning goals bond fast
Low threshold if social settings feel intense
Wine tasting with a host at the table
MyTable hosts girls-only wine tastings on Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00 in multiple cities. Four wines, four chef's special bites, a host who keeps conversation moving. Solo €49, duo from €39, group from €44. All-in. Nobody has to rescue the chat: that is already handled.
- Game nights in community centres
- Book clubs via the library
- Coffee mornings and neighbourhood meals
Volunteering and neighbourhood initiatives
- Community gardens, repair cafés or neighbour help via NLvoorelkaar
- Volunteering at a club, library or cultural centre
- Phone helplines: contact with meaning
Platforms to find something in your city fast
- Klup: large community, hundreds of weekly activities
- Meet5: focus on personal meetups
- SBG app: sport and culture
- Municipal social maps: search your city plus meet
From intention to showing up in two weeks
- Pick one activity close to your comfort zone
- Sign up within 24 hours
- Put it in your calendar like a fixed appointment
- Arrive five minutes early and give yourself permission to leave afterwards
Seeing the same people two or three times turns strangers into familiar faces. Repetition is the quiet engine behind new friendships.
The offer is bigger than you think
From walking groups to workshops and organised tables: there is a format that fits you. Want a soft landing without anchors? Book a girls-only table with MyTable. Pick one option from this list, sign up today, and give it three weeks.
