What hobby should I try to meet smart, happy, and healthy friends IRL?
20
211
resolved Sep 20
55%45%
Climbing
23%27%
Martial arts
23%9%
Hiking
2%
Partying
2%
Trading Card Events
4%
Running with other people
0.5%
Meditation at local center
4%
Weightlifting

I'm naturally a bit of an introverted workaholic, but need to meet more people again now that the pandemic has ended. Will try out the top three in June-July 2023.

Max initial (2 month) investment USD $500 per hobby.

Max time investment three weekends per hobby.

Limited to activities I can find within 3 h drive/train of where I live.

Get Ṁ200 play money

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Tried out climbing, martial arts, hiking, and sailing. Sticking with climbing and sailing. Would hike more, but it's flat around here; not much view as a reward. Thinking about dance or skiing in the winter.

Started climbing two days ago. Did an "easy" indoor course twice, only took 10 minutes. Location is very convenient, people were friendly. Looks like it will be easy to fit into my normal exercise routine.

@brp Bouldering or top-rope? Didja have fun?

How does this resolve?

@osmarks It resolves to the activity I am still pursuing when the market closes. I might delay market close by two weeks to one month if I'm still trying things out.

@brp If I am pursuing more than one activity, then I will resolve to more than one. That looks unlikely, though: I've already picked up sailing, and so don't have enough time for too many other extracurriculars.

bought Ṁ15 of Martial arts

You want something that selects for healthy people. The best proxy for this is something that’s very physically active. But you also need something which forces you to talk to people.

Martial arts(including Western options) are an excellent icebreaker, and one which encourages communication and camaraderie with your fellow athletes.