This is so lovely, Garrett. I have counted on the folks, like you, particularly in group settings, because that is not my strength anymore, who faithfully try to be there to awkwardly and earnestly welcome me in when I manage to get out there. It is a tremendous gift, that.
For those of us who are better at community building one-on-one, …
This is so lovely, Garrett. I have counted on the folks, like you, particularly in group settings, because that is not my strength anymore, who faithfully try to be there to awkwardly and earnestly welcome me in when I manage to get out there. It is a tremendous gift, that.
For those of us who are better at community building one-on-one, I have a story! Over a year ago, I put out a general call online, asking if anyone wanted to swap landscaping/gardening help. Like, one day you come and help me with some projects around my house that would be easier or more enjoyable with another set of hands and then another day I return the favor. It was heartfelt and (I thought) useful, to me and others. I was proud of myself for putting myself out there. And then there were... crickets. Folks chimed in, Oh! What a great idea! But no one actually said, Yes, I'd love to. THEN, TODAY, a year, maybe a year and a half (?) later, another single mom who lives a few blocks from me who I vaguely know socially but only vaguely messaged me to ask if I was still up for it. AND I AM. So, now we're going to start helping and gardening with each other.
Community! Come early or late! In packs or one by one! Woot!
This is something I think about a lot (and sometimes remember to say out loud)! One of the reasons to "put an invitation out there" is that you never know when somebody's going to pick it up. It could be way later, after you forgot making the invitation, but that's ok!
I love it that she was finally ready and you still were! I have a close friend who I started doing this with but more broadly and it’s been amazing. Sometimes it’s yardwork, sometimes it’s clean out the garage, sometimes it’s painting, sometimes it’s reorganize the laundry room… it’s made some tedious chores so much more fun. 🥰 I hope you and your neighbor create a wonderful supportive community together!
This is so lovely, Garrett. I have counted on the folks, like you, particularly in group settings, because that is not my strength anymore, who faithfully try to be there to awkwardly and earnestly welcome me in when I manage to get out there. It is a tremendous gift, that.
For those of us who are better at community building one-on-one, I have a story! Over a year ago, I put out a general call online, asking if anyone wanted to swap landscaping/gardening help. Like, one day you come and help me with some projects around my house that would be easier or more enjoyable with another set of hands and then another day I return the favor. It was heartfelt and (I thought) useful, to me and others. I was proud of myself for putting myself out there. And then there were... crickets. Folks chimed in, Oh! What a great idea! But no one actually said, Yes, I'd love to. THEN, TODAY, a year, maybe a year and a half (?) later, another single mom who lives a few blocks from me who I vaguely know socially but only vaguely messaged me to ask if I was still up for it. AND I AM. So, now we're going to start helping and gardening with each other.
Community! Come early or late! In packs or one by one! Woot!
This is something I think about a lot (and sometimes remember to say out loud)! One of the reasons to "put an invitation out there" is that you never know when somebody's going to pick it up. It could be way later, after you forgot making the invitation, but that's ok!
I love it that she was finally ready and you still were! I have a close friend who I started doing this with but more broadly and it’s been amazing. Sometimes it’s yardwork, sometimes it’s clean out the garage, sometimes it’s painting, sometimes it’s reorganize the laundry room… it’s made some tedious chores so much more fun. 🥰 I hope you and your neighbor create a wonderful supportive community together!