Why I Love Meetup

Meetup is this great website/app where groups of all kinds allow folks to meet up (…get it?) in real life and hang out. There are groups for all interests - people who like to travel, people who are learning a language, people who like to play board games, or read, or drink, or watch movies…the list goes on.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means by clicking on these links and making a purchase, Humor & Grace may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we would recommend to our family and friends, and these commissions help support Humor & Grace. Thanks for your support.

I first found out about Meetup when I moved to Dallas from Oklahoma City. I moved to Dallas to be with my husband - we had been doing four years of long distance - and the move allowed us to finally live together for the first time since getting married. I was so excited to finally be living in the same state as my husband, but he traveled for work every single week, Monday through Friday. I was essentially still living by myself, at least during the week (believe me, I was not pleased, haha).

I joined Meetup to get out of the house and make some friends! I joined both dining meetups (because who doesn’t like to eat) and a book club. However, I joined, and then I watched as events came and went. I was chicken to show up to my first event. I wouldn’t know anyone, and I hadn’t even been to these restaurants before.

I finally mustered up the courage and took the leap! I told myself that if I went and hated it, I would never have to go again. I would be out the $30 for dinner and two hours of my time, nothing more.

I loved it. I went and met my fellow diners and had a great time. There wasn’t any awkwardness - I mean, after all, the entire point of Meetup is to get folks together that DON’T know each other. The hostess did a great job of having everyone introduce themselves and ensuring that conversation flowed.

After that first Meetup, I went to a second and third and eventually took over as coordinator of my own Meetup group. I met lots of interesting people that I would not have otherwise met, and conversation was always about something different. I have joined a book club and I look forward to going - even if I haven’t read the book - because I love seeing the people I have met through the group. I also went to a Spanish language meetup when I was earnestly trying to learn Spanish. It was a great way to learn or practice language skills in an informal environment over dinner or coffee.

Some people join Meetup because they are new to town (like me) or because their friends have moved away or because they work from home and feel isolated. Whatever your reason for wanting to get out more, meet new people, and enjoy activities you wouldn’t otherwise enjoy, I encourage you to give it a try.

Have you tried Meetup? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!