Blogtober Day 5: Community
What is community and what does being in community look like?
“A group of people who live in the same place or share common interest, values, and goals”
That’s the definition that popped up on Google! I see so much talk online, about what community is and what hosting community events should look like. All day, that word has just been popping up in my head, community. I’m someone who loves community, has built community, and host community events. But what does that actually look like?
Community is Coming Together
First and foremost, community must communicate ~ we must get together and talk about. Any kind of relationship requires communication, especially when a goal is to be achieved. One thing I find crucial, is honest and clear communication. Community looks like being vulnerable and transparent while accepting the vulnerability and transparency of others within the group.
if there is an issue, be direct and face it head on ~ instead of going to everyone else, go to the person who has caused the issue. I’ve seen this happen in several different communities, where everyone talks to each other versus to the people who need to be involved which causes strife. We can’t grow as a community, if we don’t directly speak to one another (in a loving way). Oh, and ask questions! If you don’t know, ask. No need to assume, ask!
Meeting up in person has a greater impact than just keeping things online. I think there’s benefits to social media, like how it can connect people from all over the world but at some point, we need to put the phone down and get face to face. In person allows us to feel energy on a different level, to hear tone of voice, to hug, to high five, and it keeps the soul alive!
even if you’re feeling nervous about going out (in a scared to go alone way, not your intuition screaming at you to stay home), get up and try. Maybe put on some music (or an audiobook or podcast), get dressed in a way that makes you feel good, and speak life into yourself. Often times, there’s other people who show up to the community hangs and events solo too! If you’re meeting someone 1:1, meet at a public place and know you don’t have to hang out with them again if the vibes didn’t match.
This one is what I think has been sitting with me heavy lately, and everyone is entitled to their opinion but if you see a ticket price attached to a community event, it doesn’t mean it’s not genuinely put together.
I’ve gone back and forth about charging for events. I’ve done free events, sliding scale, and ticketed. What I’ve found is that when the event is free, often times people won’t show up. At all. I’ve also come to notice that people don’t see the work, time, effort, and finances that go into putting events together and bringing the vision to life. It’s easier to talk about it then to do it. Now, if I had grant money and a guarantee that people would show up according to their RSVP, that would be different.
This leads to the aesthetics topic because there’s been an uptick in just making something cute. As an artist, I love love love curating spaces and making immersive experiences, but it can’t stop at just “cute." The decoration is to set the tone (the mood) and invite guest into a place of inspiration and allow them to enter into a world that tells a story yet again, I believe community events should go beyond just “omg this is so pretty.” I want the art to speak to you in ways that you go home and think about. I want the space to be lovely but also bring you friendship, joy, resources, and a fire to want to live boldly. My hope is that you see your inner child and welcome the artist within.
On that same token, I remind myself of the ultimate goal so my want for curation doesn’t overtake connection ~ meaning, I don’t stop the making of an event, if it won’t look “perfect” because the main purpose is to bring people together to connect and create. As an artist and overthinker, that can happen. Maybe you can relate?
Community is feeling safe and being a team member.
Just because you want to be a part of community, doesn’t mean rush into one. Take your time to find one that aligns best with you. You’re allowed to be in several communities, and to taste test them. You may join one and realize down the road, it no longer aligns. That’s okay too. Depending on the group, find a way to respectfully bow out and keep on taste testing. And remember, that same love (or whatever you’re looking for within community) is also given back. Community is about equal energy exchanges as well.
To me, community is honoring the individuality of each person within the group. We each have something that the world needs and when we recognize that, we can then come together to expand. And something insane shifts ~ the world becomes a better place.
See the beauty in each person, and don’t forget about yourself. It’s important not to dim your light either.
