10. Start the thing you want. You can create belonging.
We all want to feel like we belong. But what if you can’t find the thing you really want to be a part of? Or maybe it doesn’t exist yet. Sometimes you have to create it yourself. This post will share how to do that and why it matters.
Data point of the week
Having a sense of belonging helps protect against the harmful effects of stress, and is essential for mental and physical health. The more we feel we belong, the higher our well-being.
A low sense of belonging is a stronger predictor of depression than loneliness or even how many friends you have. This study concluded:
“Regardless of how many friends you have or how often you socialize with them—if you don’t feel as if you belong, your social support system will have little impact on depression outcomes.”
Reflection
Right now, I’m fortunate to feel connected in *most* areas of my life. (It hasn’t always been this way.) I have a great partner, fabulous friends, and a strong tennis and pickleball community. But I still crave connection in one area—with other entrepreneurs.
I want to share the trials and tribulations of managing and growing a business. I especially want a sounding board for ideas, struggles and feedback, to get out of my own head.
So, I’m starting the thing I want. I’m facilitating a “Matchmaking for Entrepreneurs” event. Think speed dating, without the dating! I hope to help entrepreneurs—including myself—meet peer support and find “matches” for support and accountability. If you’re an entrepreneur in Western MA, you’re invited! It’s free.
What about you—what kind of connection are you craving?
Connection Skill & Action Step: Start the thing you want to be a part of
Your interests, passions, and identities can be pathways to connection. Participating in a group, club, or class helps you get to know people and develop deeper relationships over time. If you long to be a part of a hiking group, book club, or environmental activism group, but can’t find one … start it yourself!
Reflect on the kind of group, club, class, community, or conversation you’d like to be a part of. If you’ve looked and can’t find what you need:
Start by considering your time, energy, and interest. Do you have the bandwidth to get something going?
Think about who might want to help.
Jot down ideas about what it could look like.
Identify who might want to participate. Reach out (or create a Meetup, share on social media, etc.) to gauge interest.
Invite people to join—and frame it as a pilot or experiment (that way there’s no such thing as failure, only useful information). After a few months, reflect on how it’s going and if you want to continue.
Not sure what to start? If you’re craving deeper conversation and friendship, consider becoming a ProjectConnect Facilitator and starting a group in your area!
Questions to reflect on or to spark conversation. Please share your responses in the comments—we love hearing from you!
Have you ever started a club, community, or group? If so, what was the hardest part? What was the best part?
A tetherball club perhaps?