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OUR STORY
What began as a small Facebook gathering has blossomed into one of North Carolina’s most dynamic wellness communities. Since July '22, Let’s Get Social Raleigh has brought over 27,000+ people together in person while recycling over $273,000 into primarily Black-owned businesses. Our events offer a KID FREE escape from the pressures of everyday life, helping adults combat exhaustion, stress, and feelings of isolation in a way that feels easy and effortless. Whether you come to relax, reset, or for meaningful connections, you'll always get exactly what you need on your own terms. At LGSR, we call each other “cousin” as a reflection of the deep bonds we cultivate and our commitment to building a happier, healthier, safer, more united North Carolina.
Attendees of our very first meetup at Kickback Jacks for the start of preseason football. The Panthers lost :(
THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT LGSR “PLAYS” IN NORTH CAROLINA
In today's fast-paced world, adults are facing unprecedented levels of stress, lonliness, and burnout as they navigate the relentless pressures of "adulting." The weight of careers, family/caregiving responsibilities, and social obligations often leaves little space for self-care or moments of joy. This constant grind fosters feelings of loneliness, exhaustion, and disconnection—not only from others but also from our true selves.
Let’s Get Social Raleigh (LGSR) offers a unique solution by creating an environment where adults can set aside the burdens of their day-to-day responsibilities and reconnect with what truly matters. Through a range of playful, community-driven events, LGSR provides spaces where joy, authenticity, and meaningful connections take center stage. By engaging in activities designed to help adults reconnect with their inner child, attendees experience renewed energy, a sense of belonging, and a mental reset that allows them to return to their lives more grounded and resilient.
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The Joy of Rediscovering Balance: A Lesson from Christopher Robin
Adults often find themselves caught in a cycle of sacrificing self-care and joy in pursuit of drive and ambition, believing they must choose one or the other. This mindset can leave people feeling drained, disconnected, and without a sense of balance in their lives. But in reality, it is possible to nurture both ambition and joy—something beautifully illustrated by the story of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh.
In A.A. Milne’s beloved tale, Christopher Robin, a young boy full of imagination, spends his days exploring the Hundred Acre Wood with his friends, including Winnie the Pooh. Together, they embark on playful adventures, laughing, dreaming, and experiencing the simple joys of life. However, as Christopher Robin grows older, he is called away to the responsibilities of school and adulthood, leaving behind the carefree days with Pooh and the others. The burden of “growing up” draws him away from play, and his focus shifts entirely toward the seriousness of life.
Yet, Christopher Robin’s return to the Hundred Acre Wood later in life reminds him—and us—that the joy of play, connection, and imagination never truly leaves. These aspects of life are not distractions from success but essential parts of it. When he reunites with Pooh, Christopher Robin rediscovers the balance between ambition and joy, realizing that both can coexist in harmony.
How LGSR Strengthens Community and Safety Across North Carolina
At the heart of LGSR is a culture that fosters trust, unity, and a deep sense of connection across North Carolina. In a time when so many feel isolated and detached, our events help build bridges between people—creating a ripple effect that extends beyond individual well-being. The bonds we form are not only playful but deeply impactful, leading to a more connected and trusting community.
An added value of LGSR is how these connections create a sense of safety across neighborhoods and cities. Our attendees build relationships that extend beyond our events, creating a web of trust that makes it easier for individuals to feel safe and welcome wherever they go across North Carolina. People are more likely to explore new areas and connect with diverse communities because they know they are part of a wider network of care and support that transcends zip codes. Through these bonds, we are helping to create a North Carolina where people feel confident venturing into unfamiliar spaces and finding friendly faces.
Let’s Get Social Raleigh (LGSR) embraces this idea. We remind adults that joy and success aren’t mutually exclusive, and that reconnecting with their inner child through play, laughter, and community can actually enhance their drive and ambition. By creating events where adults can step away from their stresses and rediscover the happiness they’ve put aside, LGSR helps people realize that play is not only rejuvenating but necessary for living a full, successful, and balanced life.
Like Christopher Robin’s return to the Hundred Acre Wood, LGSR offers a place where adults can reclaim the joy they once knew, blending it seamlessly with the goals and responsibilities of adulthood. You don’t have to choose between ambition and joy—you can have both, and LGSR is here to show you how.
Attracting National Attention and Positioning North Carolina as a Hub for Joy and Connection
Our events have garnered national attention, drawing people from across the country to experience the unique joy and connection that Let’s Get Social Raleigh (LGSR) offers. These visitors not only boost local tourism but also position North Carolina as a premier destination for creativity, community, and belonging.
A standout example is our hikes, which are especially popular with newcomers and introverts. Designed to be welcoming and low-pressure, they provide an opportunity to connect in a natural, relaxed setting. Each hike is followed by either brunch or a park picnic, depending on the weather, creating even more space for conversation and connection. By the end, participants leave with new friends, shared memories, and a reminder that they’re not alone.
LGSR events demonstrate how community-driven initiatives can combat isolation and position North Carolina as a hub for joy, connection, and well-being.
Empowering Black-Owned Businesses and Strengthening Local Economies
LGSR is more than just a platform for play; it's a movement rooted in community empowerment. One of our long-term strategic goals is to amplify Black-owned businesses and position LGSR as a major economic driver for underrepresented entrepreneurs across North Carolina.
We intentionally create opportunities for local Black creatives, makers, and business owners to reach new audiences, build connections, and grow their brands. This work is more than economic—it’s cultural. By centering Black-owned businesses, we’re celebrating the richness and diversity of our communities while fueling a more inclusive and thriving local economy.
This commitment is woven into the very why of LGSR.
We believe true wellness includes equity, representation, and collective uplift.
Transforming the Future Through Play
LGSR is dedicated to curating experiences that not only help adults escape feelings of exhaustion, stress, and isolation but also foster deeper connections that make our communities safer and stronger. Through the transformative power of play, community, and connection, we are building a North Carolina where everyone—regardless of where they come from—can feel at home, supported, and empowered to live fully and authentically.
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Our Mission
We are a grassroots wellness organization that's rewriting the adult wellness playbook!Let’s Get Social Raleigh's (LGSR) mission is to lead a cultural shift that uses play, nature, and collective joy as healing pathways for adults to reconnect with their inner child.
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Our Vision
To be the nation's leading wellness organization redefining adult self-care through play, nature, and community.
We are building a future where Raleigh becomes a global destination for joyful, holistic wellness, curating safe. inclusive spaces that relieve stress, lonliness, and burnout. Through our events, we foster mental and physical well-being & help adults reconnect with their most authentic selves.
Our Commitment to Equity: LGSR intentionally supports and amplifies Black-owned businesses at our events, recognizing economic empowerment as a vital part of community wellness.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER & CEO
Michele Paul is the visionary founder and CEO of Let’s Get Social Raleigh, a grassroots wellness community grounded in the restorative power of play, nature, connections, and community. A retired Marine with 20 years of service, including two combat deployments, Michele has faced the profound mental and emotional challenges of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Through her journey, she found that immersing herself in nature and reconnecting with play offered a sense of peace and clarity that nothing else could. Nature became her sanctuary, and play rekindled the joy and laughter that helped her heal.
For Michele, the outdoors is more than a backdrop—it is a vital source of strength and renewal. Combined with the freeing act of play, these moments helped her overcome stress, rediscover her inner child, and reconnect with herself. Inspired by her personal transformation, Michele left corporate America in January 2023 to dedicate herself fully to sharing what healed her with her community.
In 2022, she founded Let’s Get Social Raleigh to create spaces where adults can experience the therapeutic power of nature, rediscover the joy of play, and connect meaningfully with others. Michele believes that in stepping outside and slowing down, we find not only a reprieve from life’s pressures but also a path to healing and self-discovery. Her mission is to empower adults to reset, release isolation, stress, and exhaustion, and embrace the simple yet transformative gifts of nature and community.
Through Let’s Get Social Raleigh, Michele builds bridges between people and the outdoors, proving that the combination of fresh air, play, and connection is a powerful remedy for life’s challenges.