The science of real friendship
Most people don’t struggle to meet new faces. They struggle to turn one good meeting into a real bond. The Week Club is built around what research repeatedly points to: repeated time, predictable proximity, and low-pressure settings.
Modern socialising optimises for novelty. New faces, new venues, new conversations. Novelty is energising — but it’s a weak mechanism for building closeness. Friendship is usually the slow accumulation of shared context.
The Week Club thesis
- Friendship is a repeat-exposure problem more than a personality problem.
- Most people don’t need more events. They need a reliable rhythm with the same people.
- Simple, local meetups remove friction so repetition becomes realistic.
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If you like receipts, here they are. If not, you can skip to how it works.
1) Time together predicts closeness
Closeness tends to require a meaningful amount of shared time — with the same people. One-off events often feel good but don’t create enough repeated interaction to cross the threshold from acquaintance to friend.
Design implication
- Consistency is the real product. The activity is the wrapper.
- A short, defined cycle makes commitment easier than an open-ended promise.
- Small groups increase repeated interaction density.
2) Familiarity increases comfort and liking
Repeated exposure reduces uncertainty and makes interaction feel easier. Early-stage awkwardness is often a stage — not a signal that the people are wrong.
A useful reframe
- Awkwardness is often a stage, not a signal.
- Comfort is a byproduct of repetition.
- Small, consistent groups reduce the pressure to perform.
3) Proximity protects momentum
Logistics quietly kill adult friendship. When it’s easy to see someone again, connection grows. When it’s hard, it fades — even when there’s genuine mutual liking.
Design implication
- Proximity reduces drop-off.
- Simple meetups reduce cancellation risk.
- Predictable weekly slots reduce decision fatigue.
4) The context: loneliness is measurable
Loneliness is common — especially in big cities where you can be surrounded by options while lacking consistent bonds. Public data tracks loneliness and wellbeing indicators over time, which helps explain why a structured approach resonates.
Want the practical version?
Here’s exactly how a cycle works.