Can't Find One? Make One

1 min

Establish a group or community that fulfills a particular need.

You’ve hit a dead end finding a community for a particular hobby, interest, or need. Now what?If the community you’re looking for doesn’t exist, you have a unique and exciting opportunity to forge your own. While this may sound daunting, remember that you get the chance to bring people together in the spirit of an interest you love. Belonging to multiple different groups has the ability to boost your self-esteem, according to a 2015 study published in the journal PLoS One.Let’s explore how you can build a community from scratch.Starting FreshYou’re probably here because you’ve identified a gap in your existing circles. If not, think about where those gaps might be. Maybe there’s a hobby that none of your friends share in except you. Or you have an opportunity to bring together friends from different parts of your life to enjoy a dinner—or even some self-care.Once you’ve identified a need, plan and initiate your new community group. This could be anything from starting a special interest group to organizing a gathering of friends you’ve already had.When you’re organizing this new community, think of communities that you’ve enjoyed and pull what you can from those experiences. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just focus on fostering a positive, inclusive, and welcoming environment.Continuing the TraditionTo make this community stick, you need to ensure regular gatherings and communication. Whether it’s a monthly dinner party, weekly meetings, or a morning walk with friends, actively encourage people to participate and be sure to continually show up yourself.Get excited for what your community could become. Bringing people together is an important step on your own personal journey, and you can delight in knowing you’re making big strides in your own growth.