Hello Friend,

When I reflect on my life, I see how much has changed. Growing up, I felt an unshakable sense of connection—a deep love and pride for my community. There was a shared understanding that we looked out for each other, a collective effort to build something good for everyone. I belonged. I was part of something bigger than myself.

From My Own Lens

But life shifted. Moving to different states, starting over in unfamiliar places, I became a new version of myself. As those past connections faded, I found myself in a strange in-between—missing the belonging I once had but unsure of how to rebuild it.

For a long time, I clung to the old advice: Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Take care of yourself. Don’t be a burden to others. That mindset, ingrained in me early, shaped how I tried to navigate the harder parts of my life. But what I found on that path was isolation—a heavy silence where authentic, meaningful relationships should have been. I missed the little things, the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make close friends feel like family.

As I withdrew further, my mental health suffered. Fortunately, I had a therapist who saw what I couldn’t. They encouraged me to seek out something I didn’t even realize I needed: community.

But building connections doesn’t happen overnight. The in-between—the space where you’re trying but still feel alone—was hard. I questioned whether I was making progress. The uncertainty weighed on me as much as the isolation itself.

Slowly, though, it began to shift. One connection led to another. I started to lean into vulnerability, letting myself trust and be seen in my friendships. Over time, those connections deepened. I laughed more, shared more, and found joy in spaces I didn’t think I’d feel comfortable.

In the last 11 years, I’ve lived in five states and seven communities. That isn’t much time to create deep roots, but each place taught me patience and the value of leaning into the awkwardness of connection-building. When I reflect, I see how much my well-being improved every time I found even a small sense of belonging. The idea of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps? It’s a fallacy. People need people. We aren’t meant to face life alone.

I’ve come to believe this wholeheartedly: the only way through tough times is with people.

The Tough Times of Today

And here we are, in one of those tough times. The election may have left you shaken, grieving, or lost in the unknown. I’m scared too. But I also feel deep gratitude for the community I’ve built. Even now, friends from different chapters of my life are checking in, asking how I’m doing. And while I’m grateful for their care, what I value most is the shared space we’ve created—a space where we can sit together in this uncertainty, knowing we aren’t alone.

Community is essential. It’s the people under our roof, the friends across state lines, and the chosen family we call our own. These connections give us room to be human, to feel what we need to feel, and to keep moving forward.

I often think of us as pebbles dropped into a still pond. The ripples we create are our communities—the networks of care and connection that surround us. Those ripples matter. They hold us when we’re unsure and carry us when the waters feel too rough.

Be With Community

If you’re longing for a deeper sense of connection, I want to invite you into a space where we can create those ripples together. My private practice, Whole You Health, is hosting a “Be With Community” group starting Monday, December 2, 2024. For eight weeks, we’ll gather to laugh, cry, and simply be with each other. This is a space for everyone—whether you’re finding your footing or just looking for a place to belong.

We’re stepping into the unknown, but we don’t have to do it alone. In a world that often feels fractured, community offers us a way to heal—to share our burdens, celebrate our joys, and find comfort in the presence of others who truly see us. It’s within these connections that we discover resilience, reminding ourselves that we are stronger together than we could ever be on our own. Community is where we find courage in uncertainty, hope in the face of hardship, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, we are never truly alone.

Together, we can navigate whatever lies ahead. I hope you’ll join us and discover the strength that grows when we build community.