New hangout trend is changing how friends socialise
To make adulting easier, friends are swapping clubs for chores.
When you're done with school and studies, the real-life work begins.
READ: Pop superstar breaks record held by iconic Whitney Houston album
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to see how much you need to do in a week, and there never seem to be enough hours in the day.
At weekends, we have to choose between going out with friends or doing all those life tasks we couldn't get to during the week.
READ: Big changes coming to taxis and South Africa’s legal drunk driving limit
But what if you could combine your social time with your admin?
Introducing the latest social trend: Admin Nights.
READ: How deleted WhatsApp messages can get you in legal trouble
This wholesome and surprisingly satisfying trend started gaining traction online in November 2025, and now it's been tried and tested by many, with successful results.
Molly Ward, a 36-year-old audience manager of a newsroom based in Washington, spoke to Business Insider and shared her experience after hosting an admin night.
READ: 10 foods dieticians always purchase at the grocery store
Ward said it was a success, and her friends already started asking about when the next admin night will be.
"It was a cool way to connect with what's new, what's going on in people's lives. The administrative tasks themselves were boring, but the ideas surrounding those tasks sparked interesting conversations about bigger life ideas."
LUISTER: Bobby van Jaarsveld en Brendan Peyper gesels oor hulle reis deur Amerika
The concept of the admin night hangout is simple: you invite your friends, they bring all the tools (laptops, phones, etc.) they need to complete the tasks they've been avoiding, and there will be snacks and maybe a few candles to create a calm environment.
Instead of struggling to hear what your friends are saying at a club or bar, spending unnecessary money and getting dressed to the nines, you tackle the admin that's been causing you stress.
EKSKLUSIEF: Donnalee Roberts en Ivan Botha deel meer oor 'Een Keer Om Die Son' se nuwe seisoen
These tasks can be anything, such as:
- doing taxes
- paying bills
- making appointments
- sorting through your emails
- planning your week
It's productive socialising with extra emotional support.
LUISTER: Alles wat jy moet weet oor die Afrikaanse weergawe van 'The Office'
This trend has become popular for many reasons.
- Instead of feeling horrible the next day, you feel accomplished and socially fulfilled.
- Going out is expensive, exhausting and often overrated.
- The group setting offers support and minimises the daunting task.
- The environment is low-pressure, unlike many nights out.
- It's a useful hangout and not just a waste of time and money with no results.
The benefits of an admin night are tenfold.
READ: Temu and courier service respond to South African delivery complaints
The group can provide encouragement to the person who needs it, validation for those who admit they've been struggling, and advice on how to conquer certain tasks, making everyone's life easier.
Admin Night also taps into something called body doubling. This is a focus hack especially popular with people who struggle with procrastination or ADHD.
READ: How much each South African Minister has spent on travel
The concept is simple: You don’t need help. You don’t need advice. You just need someone there.
Having others quietly working alongside you tricks your brain into thinking, “Okay, fine, we’re doing this now.” Tasks that felt impossible alone suddenly feel manageable.
According to Ward, the admin night can even encourage continued behaviour: "The momentum to get things done continued after the party. I had people texting me days later telling me they finished up tasks they started at my place, which motivated me to keep going on my to-do list."
Tune in to 'The Drive with Rob & Roz', on weekdays from 16:00 – 19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: iStock