The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Real Simple
Rather than centering plans around going out, drinking, or high-energy group settings, soft socializing leans into low-pressure, activity-based hangouts where connection can develop more naturally. The activity itself, whether working on a puzzle together, discussing a recent book club read, or attending a pottery session, becomes the focal point, and the expectation to constantly be social is optional. “Shared activities frequently draw attention away from you and onto something external,” says Robert Alexander, PhD, assistant professor of psychology and counseling at New York Institute of Technology. “Pauses in the conversation can come and go without feeling awkward, and you can feel relieved of the responsibility for sustaining the conversation moment-to-moment.”
Much of the pressure tied to more traditional ways of gathering comes down to unspoken expectations, including feeling responsible for keeping conversation flowing and responding in engaging ways to avoid awkward silences, particularly in one-on-one or small-group settings. There can also be a sense that you need to be funny, insightful, or entertaining. “Soft socializing shifts the goal from performing to being present. It can help people feel safe, connected with others, and like they truly belong without needing to manage impressions,” Alexander says. “For many people, that can mean the difference between feeling restored by an event and feeling depleted.”
There’s also a broader shift in generational values shaping how Gen Z approaches connection. A recent study suggests that 92% of Gen Z surveyed think that being true to oneself and others was extremely important. “Simply sitting together in a casual setting or engaging in simple activities can feel more real because it’s unpolished and low-pressure,” Bausman says. “For many Gen Z, authenticity means you don’t have to put on a show to demonstrate that you’re present and attentive in the moment.”
Source: Real Simple
https://www.realsimple.com/soft-socializing-gen-z-trend-11945790