The Power of Community

Community and Connection

Relationships and social connections are crucial to meaningful lives.

Too often we lead our lives as individuals, where each person is on a mission to steer their own ship of happiness to shore. This is unrealistic as we are social animals and are hard-wired to bond and depend on fellow humans.

Connecting with others and being part of a community promotes love, intimacy, and a strong physical interaction with others. It is also fundamental to our health and wellbeing.

What is a Community?

A community is lots of little circles of friends connected together by one giant circle, just like a family. It’s a place where you feel secure in being your authentic self.

Joining a community offers many benefits including support for one another. This can be socially or towards a fitness related goal. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, where a community really comes into its own is when it can help you handle a major life situation like the Covid-19 pandemic or open up new opportunities such as jobs and provide resources that members wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

A community should be inclusive, where members thrive as each person feels just as important as the next, regardless of age, race, colour, disability, sexual orientation or ability.

Being part of a community offers us the opportunity to be part of something greater than ourselves. It's important for every person to have a sense of community. Belonging to one can make us feel good within ourselves and increase our levels of self-efficacy and self-worth.

Types of Community

There are many types communities around us that we can join and we may not realise that we are already part of one.

Here are some examples of communities:

• Family
• Religion
• Workforce
• Sports Club
• Mental Health Support Group
• Sewing Club
• Climate Coalition

Generally speaking there are five type of communities, 1) Interest, communities of people who share the same interest or passion, 2) Action, communities of people that are trying to bring about change, 3) Location, communities of people brought together by geographical boundaries, 4) Practice, communities of people in the same profession or undertake the same activities, and 5) Circumstance, people brought together because of their circumstances i.e. a women's refuge or men's mental health support group.

As we live through these uncertain times with less physical contact with other individuals than we are used to, it can feel lonely and difficult to manage our emotions and mental wellbeing.

This is a good time to connect with a community online and improve your sense of wellbeing and outlook in life.

My top tip is to think about the things that you enjoy participating in i.e. running, dancing, writing, drawing, meditating, singing, or cooking. Then look to see if you can find a community online to join, one that perhaps meets on Zoom or other platforms on a regular basis.

If at first it isn't for you, you can always try again until you find the one that suits your needs.

Here are 3 communities for you to consider as you get started:

1. Be More You - mental health support group for runners, meets every Monday night on Zoom (Disclaimer, this is a group I set up two years ago and I host the sessions weekly - all sessions are free)
2. The Art Studio New York - Drawing and Watercolour Classes online, with some free options too
3. The Foldline - online sewing community, offers free sign up and socialising opportunties fellow with members

Feel free to add more online communities in the comments.