I’ve always been fascinated by community living and how it’s growing, as people feel the need for more connection with others.
That friend or family member who says they love to live alone but also value meeting up with others.
How about the person in the supermarket who clearly wants a conversation because they’re lonely. You maybe the only person they have a conversation with that week.
Constantly dipping in and out of social media being updated by what friends or acquaintances are doing. Feeling your own life does not match up.
Why does all this happen?, it’s simple and you probably already know, it’s because we’re all made for connection. We’re not meant to do life alone.
Let’s not give up in meeting together. The world teaches us to isolate and make it all about us. That was me up until a year ago. I watched the film ‘The Yes Man’. I decided to say yes to more things but only things I genuinely wanted to attend.
Guess what I had fun and I was intentional about what and when I said yes or no.
We are made to have a relationship and community with others.
According to the Gov website there was some variation in the proportion of adults of different ages that experienced loneliness, for example adults aged 16 to 24 (10%), and 25 to 34 (9%), were more likely to report that they felt lonely often or always than adults from all other age groups (4% to 8%).
Many things can cause someone to feel isolated but it’s on the increase. Whilst the reasons for loneliness was always there, what can we as individuals be doing differently now to change this in the space we’re in?
Some reasons are obvious but you see if many of us step out and change we can make a difference to communities around us. Setting up events or meals to meet up with others in communities and neighbourhoods. If ten people come together that’s a great number. That’s ten less lonely people. Meeting up without distraction of electronics, being present creating deeper connections and lasting friendships.
You maybe fine alone so this may not apply to you. But those people saying they’re lonely are suffering and this can lead to depression and anxiety. Statistics say this on the rise.
We need people to share life with ‘the right people’. Honest ‘real ones’. Who genuinely wants the best for us and us for them.
How many times have you lost contact with someone?
Yes me too. Looking back the relationship was never that strong in first place because if do not stay connected there is no foundation. Hurts but that is truth. I have felt the hurt and realisation.
I do acknowledge those friends you see months or years later and jump back in where you left off. You both understand life gets in way. That’s also a real one. The kind of people you can call on anytime if needed.
Too many people do life, work, business alone. Even some marriages is like one person is in it and the other has checked out.
Community needs more than one person. I cannot stress how much you need that one friend or more.
If you got that person or persons in your life stay connected. The no judgement, truthful, loving friends.
If you need to get out and meet more people let this be the year you have another 3 months do not wait until next year. Make some moves towards building lasting friendships.
We all deserve to be loved and to pour out love to others however that looks for you.
Say no to damaging one side relationships and yes to good solid foundation relationships. The friend that cheers you on from the side lines but also listens to you when you’re hurting.
That’s community.
Chanel x
