A supportive community can enrich your life, bolster your mental health and help you overcome challenges. It also builds resilient organizations and societies.
Getting to know people in your community allows you to see their diversity of thought, which makes for an empowering environment. But how do you build your own community?
Create a Circle of Friends
The inner circle of friends are people you share a deep connection with. They understand you and support you when times are tough.
As an adult, it can be difficult to meet new friends and expand your social circle. Here are some smart ideas to help you make new connections and upgrade your friendships:
Start a Discussion Group
A discussion group is a great way to get a lot of information from a variety of people in one place. It also exposes you to vast swaths of understanding that others have, but you may not have considered.
It’s ok to have awkward silences at first while participants think about what they want to say. Just make sure you continue to ask questions.
Start a Book Club
There are several things to consider before starting a book club. First, decide how members will choose books. Will they vote, take suggestions, or read a set list of books?
Next, determine how often the group will meet. It’s important to find a day and time that works for everyone. Also, think about the location. Do you want to hold meetings in people’s homes or a more public space?
Start a Sports Team
Whether you want to get fit, learn a new sport, or just hang out with friends, joining a sports team may be a great option. If there isn’t a local league for your preferred sport, however, you can try starting your own.
Consider choosing a location that is easy for people to access. Also, be sure to hold regular socials so that players stay engaged and connected.
Start a Yoga Class
The start of a yoga class is a powerful moment. Whether you’re welcoming students into your space for the first time or preparing them to enter the final pose of the class, it’s important that you set an intention for your students to follow.
A dharma talk is one way to do this, but it can also be as simple as sharing your class theme with the group.
Start a Cooking Group
A cooking group is a great way to connect with friends while also practicing living frugally. The first step is finding a date that works for all members and organizing a cook-in. This can be challenging, especially when a group hopes to meet on a regular basis. One option is to invite members to gather in a group member’s home kitchen. This cuts expenses, and eliminates the need to rent a facility.
Start a Writing Group
Set up the group at a time and location that works for most people. Then invite students or friends who are interested in improving their writing and getting feedback on work.
These groups can offer accountability, feedback and support. However, they’re not necessarily a long-term solution. Groups tend to change over time as people move, get busy and lose interest. That’s okay!
Start a Photography Group
Starting a photography group is a great way to get a regular dose of photos and meet people who share your passion. Choose a theme for the group each month and encourage everyone to take photos that fit that theme.
Find a meeting location that is close to most people in the group. Approach local high schools, shops and galleries to see if they’ll let you use their space.
Start a Music Group
There are a few things you should consider when starting a music group. First, you should make sure that everyone is on the same page about how the group will run. This should include responsibilities, rehearsal schedules, and gigging schedules.
Next, you should start searching for musicians. This can be done by making posters or networking through social media. The best way to find new members is through word of mouth.
Start a Gardening Group
Avid gardeners can benefit from sharing their trials, tips and even errors with a supportive group. Find members through friends, neighbors, ads in the local paper and by posting fliers at area nurseries, community gardens and churches.
Identify who will donate materials and money (see the appendix for a budget template). Establish whether dues will be collected and what services will be provided in return.
