Phew—it’s a busy start to the holiday week over here. I’m this close to being able to set down the checklist and cozy in for a relaxing week…
I hope this week is one where you give yourself lots of grace and permission to be. I hope you have time with loved ones, and that you leave space for missing those you’re not able to be around. Emotions are heightened this time of year, so go extra easy on yourself.
We’re wrapping up the theme of Belonging with a focus this week on:
Shared Connection
There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.
—IDOWU KOYENIKAN
In the last weekly focus on belonging, we’re looking at how a shared connection unifies us with others. These are the similarities that outweigh our differences, the through-lines that connect us.
Through shared values, interests, or goals, we not only find a sense of belonging, but we also find a sense of encouragement, vision, and accountability (this is not the dirty word it sometimes comes off as).
When we are looking for deeper connection with others, shared ideals are necessary. We don’t have to have everything in common, but we must have something in common—whether that’s the desire to move our bodies in dance, a shared love of sci-fi books, a desire to connect spiritually with the world around us, the love of growing vegetables, or a desire to serve our communities. They don’t have to be deep connections to start with, but there needs to be room for action and growth around the shared ideal.
One of the areas I lacked community this time last year (and many years leading up to it) was in my freelance business. The nature of my job over the last several years has been extremely isolating. Because I didn’t ever plan on being a business owner, there were some pieces I simply did not understand or have in place. Recognizing that I wanted to grow in this area, I made a commitment to find supports that would help me. This last year, I did a group business coaching class, joined an online writing community, and joined a co-working space. Each of these provided clarity, community, and support around an area of my life that desperately needed it.
It’s never too late to find communal support around the things that are important to you. In fact, this time of year is a great time to grab hold of the momentum around setting down the old and making intentions around what you want this coming year. (Stay tuned later this week for a free support to help you in this area!)
Goals may change with time, and some connections with it, but don’t forget to keep pouring into the places of belonging that fuel you no matter what else changes in your life. These are relationships and supports that are foundational to your being. Reach out to your ride-or-dies this week and let them know how much they mean to you. It is a season for connection, after all.
What values/interests/areas of growth are important to you that you don’t already have community around?
Take time to explore possibilities of what you want to build community around in the coming year. You don’t have to have a clear idea yet. Just get those thinking juices going, and write down as many things come up without editing them. Just get them down on paper. When you finish, go over them and see what jumps out at you. In the next week or so, pay attention to what sticks. This is something worthwhile to explore creating community around.
Happy Holidays to all who celebrate, and a gentle offering to stay soft and open to what comes up in you as you move through this week. Sending so much love and gratitude your way!
*Note to paid subscribers: the Mid-Week Motivation will come a day later this week due to the holiday. Look for it in your inbox on Thursday!