Who here goes to meetup or hobby groups? Do they help your situation? do you meet people? what's the best way to find groups to go to? Especially for young people like early 20's.

How about the red cross, or stuff like that. Does it help you?

I go to AA meetings. I give blood, but not at Red Cross. They dont operate blood banks here.

Help me? Yes to an extent they do, but not significantly anymore.

AA is becoming a wasteland of former hard core drug addicts and its getting really sad that it not
just for alcoholics only anymore.

They come in on court slips, with prison gang tattoes at lots of meetings. Most are OK to be truthful
but they are convicted felons who dont really belong in AA, IMO.

obiwan, it's nice to see someone here asking a practical question. It's easy enough to try meetups, so I suggest you just try some. I personally don't like mainstream Americans, so I only use things like meetups for business reasons. (Making connections, etc.) Socially, I like visiting churches because you at least see some significantly different subcultures in religion. I liked the people at my local Greek Orthodox Church, but I settled on Orthodox Judaism in the end. Mensa is also okay socially.

I used to meet with SF fandom group.



Not directly in dating field; however having heard some interesting stories it was easier not to bore my dates with talking about my empty life.

I suppose that one guy met there correctly recognised my condition (basing on literature review written by me for fanzin) and somehow pushed me to Do Something About That.



Dunno, figure it out yourself.

I go to poetry readings and meditation circles sometimes.

Helps me for the moment in that I engage in fellowship with like-minded people who share my own interests.
There is a type of rush I can't explain after reading a poem written from my gut. And, meditation makes me feel relaxed then rejuvenated, sorting out my thoughts. Especially after a hard days work.

I can't give you much advice regarding best way to find groups to go to, for young people in their twenties as I am older.
Other than find what you're into and search out groups with that similar interest. Most major cities have clubs or chapters catering to people's interests.

I played in a co-ed kickball league in my city....there was a lot of different sports and leagues to choose from...then after the game we'd all go out for beers with other teams. There is usually options for people who sign up solo as well.

My friend actually meet a GF on his team.

YES. I volunteer with the local Community Food Bank, and The Salvation Army. It has helped

I used to do volunteer teaching before I got a real job teaching. I met a girl there who asked me out, but I didn't care, because I was too stuck on my oneitis at the time. Maybe I should try volunteer groups again?

well, it worked before. best be sure you're over your oneitis first.

a friend of mine started a bridge club in uni this year. not the most popular game, to say the least. manage to get maybe 8 people to come each week, mostly people I already know
I like the idea of the poetry read-out group. presenting a piece of your creativity to numerous people is a rush. Its not often I can get into other peoples poetry, though, it mostly just sounds like they're talking about something like they would normally with a rhyme every so often. one of my favourites is the darkling thrush by thomas hardy. i'm not sure why, it just has a lyrical flowing style and such effective, but simplistic, imagery.

I've read my poetry out twice to audiences so far. they seemed somewhat shocked. I hope in a good way although compared to the standard of the other poems at the time, almost anything would have seemed comparatively good.

Reading some of your replies has made me realize I really need to get out and actually do stuff...I spend 95% of my time at work or at home.