Local Connections

I cannot speak for local connections outside of my area, obviously, but one thing that seems to be a common thread amongst the commentators is that we're more divided than ever. I've seen lots of explanations as to WHY, but the common theme is that we are. So, what can we do to return to a commonality? We need to tell each other stories, and make our neighbors human to us.

I'm going to start simple. In my area, I discovered a "silent reading party" where people go to just sit and read together. It looks like they do 3 or 4 per month so you can come and go as you like. But, if you're not a big reader, maybe you can look on Meetup.com (though it is apparently not what it once was) or even Facebook for local groups. I am loathe to suggest it, but FB is honestly still pretty great for organizing groups, especially with niche interests.There's also always the local coffee shop physical message board, too.

When I moved away from where I grew up, I did not know anyone, and had no connection with local culture. I was heavily into online games at the time, and didn't leave the house much at first, but my spouse was gone for work most of the days and I only worked part time so it was making me somewhat miserable. So, I got a chance spam email from Meetup and decided to check it out. Found a local knitting group, and through that met some board gamers and beer drinkers and just generally wonderful locals, some who'd been locals their whole life and some who were fairly new.

So when I moved across the country again, the very first thing I did was start a knitting group in my neighborhood. I also lived in an apartment complex that had social events, so I forced my introverted self to do those things as well, and eventually I did meet some very good folks. I'm still friends with several, and consider several to be solid acquaintances that I could reconnect with if desired. I attribute my fierce loyalty to my chosen region of the country not just to the beauty of the place, but also to the people I've met along the way.

Once you find a group doing a thing you like, you can build trust with them. You can talk offline and do all your activities. For knitters, go to local shops together. Put together a little yarn crawl and visit shops that might be a little further outside your comfort zone. If you're not a big planner, someone in your group will be.

Glom on to the conversations that interest you. Be uncomfortable for a bit until you rebuild the social muscles that the internet has atrophied. I need to do that too, because the Pandemic ruined me for in-person interactions. I haven't been to a group activity in years.

So that's my action item today. Find a group thing to sign up for on either FB or meetup.