5 Tips in Building Your Community of Support

When you set on a path of self discovery, whether it be to gain clarity, change professions, or create something new in your life, Helen Keller said it perfectly - “Alone, we can do so little; Together, we can do so much”.

While the abject devastation in her community was so horrifying, this quote touches to the devastation we can do to ourselves when we don’t collectively look to each other to build our own personal health.

I was raised to look to myself for what I needed… To solve my own problems and to trust only myself. This gave me a foundation of grit and the analytical ability to problem solve. However, this also created enormous undo stress and the fear of failure.

Not one person can learn and grow in life without looking to another.

Building a community of support is essential to our well being.

Here are 5 tips for building your community of support:

• Identify your needs. What are you looking for in a support system? Do you need people who can offer emotional support, professional guidance, or both?

• Take an active role in connecting with others who share your interests. This could be through clubs, groups, or online communities. When you're surrounded by people who share your interests, it's easier to connect on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships.

• Take a class or workshop. This is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people. When you take a class or workshop, you're also surrounded by people who are interested in the same things as you are.

• Volunteer in your community. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make a difference in the world. When you volunteer, you're also surrounded by people who care about the same causes as you do.

• Reach out to friends and family. Let your friends and family know that you're looking for support. They may be able to offer you the emotional support or practical help that you need.

It's important to remember that building a community of support takes time and effort. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight. Just keep putting yourself out there and meeting new people. Eventually, you'll build a community of people who care about you and support you through thick and thin.