Lacking a sense of community can lead to undesired side effects like exacerbation of existing depression and anxiety and, most commonly, isolation which leads to loneliness. Loneliness and lacking a sense of community are so prominent in other countries like England that in 2018 they appointed Tracey Crouch to the newly formed government position as Minister of Loneliness to address what was deemed as a public health concern for the more than 9 million people reporting feeling loneliness in Britain. This issue is akin to this month’s blog topic which surrounds the lack of community and meaningful connections that so many of us feel, especially if we’re still assimilating to Las Vegas or not having the time to find or know how to find ways to connect with others. This can lead to isolation and loneliness which is reported to affect approximately 45% of the U.S. population.
Once you recognize that lacking a sense of community and connectivity with others is negatively affecting your mental health through feelings of loneliness, isolation, and exacerbation of existing mental health issues – what can you do about it? One remedy is to find your ‘community’, or certain people who will understand you on a level that will allow you to nurture your emotional needs more satisfactorily and with whom you can form more meaningful connections. I think we all realize our ‘community’ exists, but our busy lives and social habits which sometimes inhibit encouragement to attempt communication with unfamiliar people. These barriers and others make finding these people and groups difficult to find.
One way to identify your community is to start by finding common interests you share with others. This is a way to instantly connect with someone on a cerebral and emotional level. For example, join a hiking group, take your pup to a dog park where people with his/her breed meet up, join a book club, or sign up for that group fitness center you always see the usual suspects participating. There are several options to join clubs or activities surrounding a plethora of different interests, talents, and skills, but you’ve got to be able to do some digging to find ‘yours’, and you’ve got to be willing to challenge yourself to engage.
Another type of group to consider is a support group. Support groups are focused on populations that struggle with or need help coping with certain aspects of life, issues, or needs. These groups can be secular, such as a women’s group or a group focused on a certain profession or discipline, or there are some that are more religious/spiritual in nature. You may even be motivated to start your own splinter group more niche to your own needs or others you’ve talked to in a group, thereby helping others form connections as well as yourself.
There is always the prospect that a potential meaningful connection could be right under your nose, and you may not even know it. Think about those you work with, go to school with, other parents at your kids’ recitals or games, or the neighbor you always see walking her dog when you’re going to check your mail. How often do we consider starting conversations with these accessible people who may also very well be looking for meaningful connections? Starting that conversation is the first step and, what’s the worst that can happen – finding out it’s not a connection? Then, at least you tried, and it provides an opportunity to sharpen those communication skills to be used in future attempts at communication.
The most important key to all of these suggestions is to keep an open mind. As adults, we tend to get siloed into our little corners of the world with our own little group of people which, over time, often dissipate as everyone’s rhythm and routine change. We then, oftentimes, find ourselves with a very thin herd at points in our life when we need the most support. Being able to try new ways to form connections and recognizing that every person we invite into our life – if we vet them well enough – adds value and teaches us something about ourselves and the world around us. What challenge will you choose this month to enhance your source of support, meaningful connections, and sense of positive community? Feel free to share in the comments section or email, and we’ll spread the word to others for encouragement. Look for highlights on potential meetings and groups in next week’s blog which can include any suggestions directly messaged to me.