The dating scene is officially rewriting its own rules. In 2026, we’re seeing a new dating trend that swaps grand gestures for grounded connection—and Brits are fully on board. Dubbed choremancing, this fresh dating trend is all about dates with everyday tasks, blending the everyday with the extraordinary and making everyday experiences meaningful.
Partnered with Plenty of Fish and surfaced in Plenty of Fish’s ninth annual dating report, choremancing signals a real shift in mindset. Singles are approaching dating with fresh energy, optimism, and a growing confidence that love doesn’t need perfect timing to start bubbling.
Understanding the Choremancing Phenomenon
Definition and Origin of Choremancing
Choremancing is a dating trend dubbed for its simplicity: combining dates with everyday tasks such as cooking, dog walking, or even the weekly shop. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, people are no longer waiting at all—they’re embracing connection wherever it shows up.
The trend emerged through dating app culture, particularly within the Plenty of Fish community, where singletons shared stories of unexpected chemistry forming while going to the gym, picking up groceries, or preparing home-cooked meals together.
How Choremancing Differs from Traditional Dating
Traditional new dating rituals often rely on small talk and staged settings. Choremancing strips that away. By focusing on everyday experiences meaningful and embracing connection, it allows singles to see how a potential partner fits into their real dating lives.
Gestures like holding doors open, considerate acts like opening doors and preparing meals, or simply navigating a busy shop together reveal far more than a polished dinner date ever could.
Why It’s Gaining Popularity Among Singles
According to the report by Plenty of Fish, 2026 is a real shift. Singles are no longer waiting for the perfect scenario—this optimism is exactly what gives people hope. With many having taken a break from romance, choremancing offers a gentle, low-pressure way to return to the dating world.
The Role of Everyday Tasks in Modern Dating
Integrating Errands into First Dates
A first date no longer needs candles or cocktails. Dates are combined with everyday routines, allowing the dating process to feel natural rather than performative. Whether it’s cooking or dog walking, these shared moments reduce pressure and let chemistry build organically.
Popular Activities for Choremancing in 2026
Among Brits, the most popular choremancing activities include:
- Dog walking (especially popular among pet ownership and fur-casting enthusiasts)
- Cooking or preparing a home-cooked meal
- Going to the gym together
- Running the weekly shop
These everyday tasks help potential partners skip forced conversation and focus on time clicking naturally.
Benefits of Combining Dating with Daily Chores
Chores help potential compatibility shine through. By making everyday experiences meaningful, singles report feeling more relaxed, authentic, and open—key ingredients for love bubbling beneath the surface.
Insights from the Ninth Annual Dating Report
Key Statistics on Choremancing Among Brits
The Fish’s ninth annual dating survey reveals that 42 per cent of singles have tried choremancing. Of those, a notable per cent of singletons said their dating success had improved.
Additional findings from Plenty of Fish’s ninth annual survey show:
- 47 per cent prefer low-pressure first dates
- 46 per cent value considerate acts like opening doors
- 39 per cent feel everyday moments strengthen connection
- 24 per cent reported their dating success increased
- 17 per cent are actively seeking partners after taking a break from romance
42 Per Cent of Singles Embrace the Trend
This fresh dating approach resonates particularly with Brits navigating dating in 2026. For many singletons, choremancing feels like a meaningful reset—proof that new dating doesn’t need spectacle to succeed.
Trends Revealed: Choremancing vs. Other Dating Styles
Dating trends revealed in the annual dating report show choremancing outperforming traditional formats when it comes to comfort, authenticity, and repeat dates.
Top Dating Trends for 2026 and Beyond
Emerging Dating Trends and Their Impact
Alongside choremancing, top dating trends include sober dating, daytime meet-ups, and experience-led connections. Comedian Olga Koch—stand-up comedian, proud admin aficionado, and voice of modern singleton culture—has even commented on the appeal of fresh dating rooted in reality.
Eva Gallagher, spokesperson for Plenty of Fish, notes that singles are approaching dating differently: with intention, optimism, and openness.
How Choremancing Reflects Changing Attitudes Towards Dating
This new dating trend reflects a broader cultural movement. Singles are approaching dating with less pressure, less waiting, and more presence. They’re making everyday experiences meaningful and embracing connection wherever it shows.
Future Predictions for Dating Trends in Britain
As we’re seeing for 2026, the dating world is moving away from perfectionism and toward participation. Choremancing reminds us that love doesn’t arrive fully formed—it grows in shared moments, ordinary settings, and the quiet confidence of simply showing up.
And perhaps that’s exactly what gives people hope.
