Singles Ditch Dating Apps for In-Person Events Amid Burnout

Singles are increasingly abandoning dating apps due to burnout and swipe fatigue, turning to in-person events for authentic connections. Founders like Lucy Rout and companies such as Flare and Thursday are leading this shift, with data showing a 5% drop in app users. This movement reclaims romance's essence through genuine, accountable interactions.
Singles Ditch Dating Apps for In-Person Events Amid Burnout
Written by Elizabeth Morrison

In the ever-evolving world of modern romance, a quiet revolution is underway as singles increasingly abandon the swipe-right fatigue of dating apps for the tangible spark of face-to-face interactions. This shift, driven by widespread burnout from digital platforms, is reshaping how people connect, with in-person events emerging as a potent antidote. Recent data underscores the trend: according to a Forbes report on dating statistics in 2025, burnout affects a staggering portion of users, prompting many to seek alternatives that prioritize genuine encounters over algorithmic matches.

Take Lucy Rout, the 30-year-old founder who epitomizes this movement. As detailed in a recent CNBC profile, Rout reached her breaking point with apps like Tinder and Bumble after endless swiping led to disillusionment. “I got to dating burnout,” she confessed, highlighting how virtual interactions often lack accountability. Frustrated, she pivoted to organizing real-life (IRL) events, creating spaces where singles can mingle without the veil of screens. Her initiative isn’t isolated; it’s part of a broader surge in offline dating experiences that promise authenticity in an era of digital exhaustion.

The Rise of IRL Alternatives

Industry observers note that this pivot isn’t just anecdotal. A ABC News segment from last year captured singles flocking to speed dating and mixers, with some even enlisting traditional matchmakers to escape app fatigue. The appeal lies in the immediacy: “In IRL events, there’s a hell of a lot more accountability, and people behave very differently in person than they do virtually,” Rout explained in the CNBC piece. This sentiment echoes across social platforms, where posts on X (formerly Twitter) reveal widespread frustration—users describe dating as “exhausting” and “guarded,” with one viral thread lamenting the “competition” of who cares less, drawing thousands of engagements.

Moreover, companies like Flare Events are capitalizing on this demand. As profiled in DatingAdvice.com, Flare’s founder emphasizes laid-back gatherings that foster meaningful connections, countering the cynicism bred by repetitive online prompts. The platform’s events, described as friendly and fun, have seen attendance spike as daters report feeling “tired and cynical” from app overuse. Similarly, Thursday, a global IRL dating brand, hosts weekly events in 85 cities, boldly declaring 2025 the year of in-person romance over apps.

Burnout’s Broader Implications

The statistics paint a stark picture. The Singles in America 2025 study by Match Group, referenced in a Today News article, reveals that 45% of singles went on no dates last year—a record high—amid rising choices but fewer meaningful interactions. AI’s role exacerbates this; MosaicAI Research found 26% of singles use AI for dating, yet many experience “algorithm burnout,” craving human elements that apps can’t replicate.

This fatigue has economic ripples too. Morgan Stanley data, shared in X posts by outlets like Man of Many, indicates a 5% drop in active dating app users, signaling a potential fade of the swipe era. Niche apps and IRL hybrids are filling the void, but the real winners are event-based models. In Hertfordshire, for instance, a women-led initiative covered by Hemel Today helps locals ditch apps for summer connections, underscoring a grassroots push.

Industry Shifts and Future Outlook

For industry insiders, the implications are profound. Dating apps, once dominant, now face a “Tinder Cleanse” trend, as outlined in The Impressive Times, where singles delete profiles to combat ghosting and swiping fatigue. X conversations amplify this, with users sharing stories of chronic singledom and the exhaustion of modern dating’s “abundance illusion,” where better options seem always a swipe away.

Yet, optimism abounds. Rout’s events, as per CNBC, have not only revived her own hope but also built communities where behavior aligns with real intentions. As one X post from CNBC Make It echoed, founders like her are turning personal burnout into scalable solutions. Looking ahead, experts predict hybrid models—apps facilitating IRL meetups—could dominate, blending tech’s reach with human warmth. In a 2025 marked by digital detoxes, the return to in-person mingling isn’t just a trend; it’s a reclamation of romance’s essence, proving that sometimes, the best connections happen when you log off.

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