I hosted a dinner party every Saturday in 2025. My husband and I made new friends, ate good food, and got the kids to bed on time.

Amanda Litman and her husband hosted friends for dinner to help relieve their sense of loneliness.

Amanda Litman

• Amanda Litman and her husband, who have two young kids, were feeling socially isolated.
• They decided to host a dinner party in their two-bedroom apartment every Saturday in 2025.
• Litman said she got to have a social life every week and will carry on hosting through 2026.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amanda Litman, 35, who lives in New York City.