If you have watched the TV show, Community, you would know most of the main characters in this sitcom don’t start out wanting to be together in their study group at Greendale Community College, but they develop community over time as they do life together. One definition of community is a social state or condition, like with commonality or fellowship (Merriam-Webster). In my head, I knew community was important before, but it took a pandemic for me to realize the power of having a community of people around you.

After getting over the initial frustration when the lockdowns started last year, I admit I felt a sigh of relief deep down not having to navigate social interactions that can feel awkward for me. As an introvert, I enjoy being at home and I generally work well by myself. What is an introvert? According to the psychologist, Carl Jung, introverts prefer minimally stimulating environments, and they need time alone to recharge. Interactions with others can be draining, but introverts still enjoy being with people and having close friends. On the other side of the coin, extroverts refuel by being with others. Of course, people can have elements of both, and this can vary depending on the situation you are in. It can be helpful knowing which way you lean to understand what drains your energy and what can refuel it.

This is one thing I learned this past year: Even introverts need community.

As time wore on this last year, I began to feel the impact of not being able to have the kind of interactions I had grown accustomed to, and that began to drain me. I was feeling depressed until I decided to take some action. Not being ready to fully go back to life as we used to know it, I did what I could. I wrote notes to people, yes, actual snail mail. I posted more on social media and tried to interact with others as much as I could. I joined a virtual book club, which I never thought I would do before. I connected with a fellow homeschool mom who I hadn’t seen in a long time over socially distanced tea/coffee. It was a reminder that all of us need fellowship and encouragement from each other.

I have found community in different places. Whether I realized I needed it or not.

When we moved to Portland we decided to keep homeschooling our children. After a while, my oldest son communicated to me that he wanted more interactions with other kids. I looked into homeschool groups in our area and found one that met once a week and offered classes for all ages. This met the need for my son to find community by being around kids each week while still being able to do school at home, and I had the opportunity to meet other moms in the same situation. I didn’t realize how much that meant until we joined the group; I still keep in contact with a couple of the moms who were part of the group. When we moved to Washington State, I also found a homeschool group the kids and I could be a part of. I highly recommend having some sort of support as a homeschooling family.

I have also found community through small groups at some of the churches I have been a part of. It is great to have a group of people to share with in a deeper way and have them pray for you and you for them. The most impactful small groups have been the ones where we have served our larger community together regularly.

Another place I found it is in the side business that I am in. I found a support system as both a customer and brand partner for Young Living. The people I have met (and those I haven’t actually met in person) have been encouraging to me. Doing my own business is fun and fulfilling and, I will admit, something I could not do as well alone.

Here are some tips to find some community:

• Find a hobby that you like and join a Facebook Group relating to that hobby. I like to draw, so I joined a drawing group on Facebook recently.
• Take a class in an area that interests you, for example, a cooking class, a painting class, or a class about gardening.
• Go for walks with friends or join a gym class.
• Do you like to read books? Form a book club.
• Get connected to a church and join a small group

Where are some places you have found community?