The good old days are not gone...they just changed.
I think there are a lot of factors to consider regarding this...all of it having to do with how the world has changed.
That doesn't mean people don't still have fun though. Jay and I still have a lot of fun, even though our schedules don't really permit it as much as it used to anymore.
1. People changed...that means we as well as those who lead the way.
2. The platforms & technology where people are active, changed.
3. Culture & Society changed.
1. How People Changed
One thing that has remained constant on these platforms, is that a majority of new profiles (I would say 90%) are usually set up by men who have convinced their wives that having a threesome will spice up their wobbly marriage. They then sign up to these platforms and the men go on the hunt for girls they'd like to sleep with. These men usually tend to look at younger women.
When Jay and I signed up on this platform I was 19 years old and a lingerie model. In our case, it was mainly driven by me with Jay supporting my high sexual drive. I was on a journey, greatly inspired by the Emmanuelle series (which I kind of still am), and Jay has been there with me every step of the way. Anyways, I got thousands of direct messages here and in the chat room. (Needless to say that I shot down a vast majority of them, because they were either rude or just down-right vulgar, or wanting me to play alone and feed their fantasy.)
While I still get a lot of DM's, I'm no longer the 19-year old I was back then. As such, the general demography that used to "target" me has shrunk significantly. (Even though the unsolicited dick-pick thing still hasn't changed. Seriously, what is with that?! ππ€£)
Back then, I also had a lot of university friends, and playtimes were ample. Jay would often find himself waking up in a bed with me and up to 3 other girls, not knowing if we were in Bloemfontein or Klerksdorp. π€£They have since, all gone on to graduate, taken up careers, got married, got kids and most of them now are no longer as adventurous as they used to be back then.
Back then, Jay was a corporate executive and I was a student...we had lots of time! Now, Jay and I run 4 companies together...we have significantly less time. π
Also, as a student, I did not care who knew what my lifestyle was...now I have very powerful clients -some of whom are quite conservative -and I do need to exercise a bit of caution.
The point is, that as you grow older, your life will change and you will change...along with most of the people who are interested in you.
Read on though, there is light at the end of the tunnel. π
About 2 years into our journey, Jay introduced me to a friend of his who was a much respected owner of a series of strip clubs, and also hosted swingers parties. I remember my first impression of this man and his wife, being that they really knew what they were doing and that they were in control of things.
Most of these kinds of trailblazers (even though just 9 years ago) have since passed away, or "retired" from the lifestyle. As such, those who showed the way, have also changed.
2. How the platforms have changed.
Back when we started, Mxit was dying and wasn't nearly as popular or advanced as it is today. Facebook was pretty much the only social platform, and because it disallowed almost anything not in line with their conservative views, people flocked to sites like SH. That is why you would have been able to get hookups much easier then than now. Think of it like old TV shows. Everyone watched them, because the options were limited.
Nowadays, platforms like Twitter (or X) have become the mainstream for people in alternative lifestyles -which includes Swinging and Polyamory. They are not nearly as nice as SH, but the changes in platform preferences, have made life a lot faster in just the last 11 years. Also, with all the horror stories you hear about people sharing nudes they get, apps like has become the safer alternative for sharing sensitive media with people you don't know.
3. How culture & society has changed
Even though just 11 years ago, a lot has changed in the culture of sexual adventure. I had read the Fifty Shades of Grey book and was waiting for the movie. (The movie was an absolute disappointment to me...oh and as far as books go, Red Phoenix's work is still the best!)
Back then, the culture of Swinging life was still pretty solid. In the last 11 years, I saw how more and more fetishes became prominent, leading to entire avenues of their own. For example, back when I started my journey as a sub, spanking was part of the package...today, spanking/whipping/belting is an entire genre all on its own. As such, you see a lot of people move away from the mainstream genre of Swinging and going into their respective fields of fetishes. (I.e. Smaller more intensified and specialized groups...enter platforms like Fetlife.)
Furthermore, society, has seen a massive clash between the woke and conservative views in life. This has resulted in massive polarization with more people moving to one side or the other. I personally don't agree with 80% of the woke views, but I will also never be able to adhere to the notions against liberation such as sexual freedom and promiscuity. Unfortunately, society as a whole has seen people choose one or the other, in its entirety.
Summary
Whether it be a Pub, a Company, a Town or a Swinger's haven...times and people will change...this is inevitable.
DON't GIVE UP! The good times don't need to be over.
The following quote is famously attributed to Charles Darwin: "There are those who hold it that the success of a species lies in it's strength and others who counter it is in its intelligence. I propose that the success of a species lies in neither of these, but in its ability to adapt."
A. Start looking wider
This platform -like everything else in life -too, has changed. There are still a lot of good people on here that really want to play, but make peace with the fact that you might have to look elsewhere...in real life around you.
Use Twitter, explore the world of Adult Entertainment, you will be surprised how many performers there are from South Africa...who all wish to explore. Invite them to view your profile on SH and to open up their own. Stop waiting for Felicity Admin to attract people here...if you are part of this community, and you want it to thrive, you also have an obligation to help it grow. π
Examples:
Jay and I have taken quite a fancy in a girl who works out in gym at the same time as we do. We started befriending her, and learned that she has a boyfriend...and that she and her boyfriend have been wanting to explore the lifestyle, but didn't know where to start.
We went to a nude beach and were the only couple there when another couple walked by. We befriended them.
Etc. etc. etc.
C. Use the available avenues
There are a number of people who are running venues and events on SH. Whilst it is true that the lockdown destroyed a lot of this, those that remain, work hard to keep it alive. Attend these events and get to know those who really want to hook up.
B. Look for quality instead of quantity
The first girl we met here on SH became one of our best friends ever. She in turn, saw that I loved doing video streams in the chat, and convinced me to start doing it elsewhere for an income. While I'm still running my company, the other avenue has opened up an amazing world of experience for us -including meeting some great people -and boosted my income tenfold at the same time.
The first guy we met here on SH (he recently commented on one of my photos) became my long-term dedicated bull for 3 years, until we moved away. He is still one of our best friends.
One of the couples we met on here, also became great friends of ours.
Having people you get to know and trust, will always ensure much more playtime than quick a swing-by with a couple of strangers...and these people might know other people who know other people...and that is when you might just find yourself in the greatest Swingers Party you have ever attended. π
The good times ain't over by a long-shot!