5 Steps to Growing your Local Community

One of the most common vulnerabilities I hear from women is that they don’t feel like they have a solid local community. This often has them feeling lonely, unseen, and separate from others. The hardest part can be being surrounded by people yet feeling like you don’t have a meaningful connection with them.

We need community now more than ever! The past 18 months have brought about feelings of uncertainty and anxiety unlike most of us have experienced in our lifetimes. A strong community provides an environment of safety and security. It’s important to our nervous systems to know that there are people nearby that we can count on.  

If you’re reading this and don’t have a local community to plug into, I’m going to teach you how to create one! I have followed these steps twice in the last 5 years - once when I initially got pregnant and wanted to know other pregnant and new moms nearby and the 2nd time when I moved into a new neighborhood. These 5 steps lead to me growing strong groups of 50+ women along with many lifelong family friendships. 

It’s COMPLETELY changed my life having genuine friendships and support in close proximity to where I live and in similar phases of life. 

Here’s how…..

1. Join a Facebook Group: Search for your local neighborhood Facebook group (if there isn’t one, start one)
2. Make an Event: Create a meet your neighbor’s event with the sole intention of getting to know the people around you. Find a venue in close proximity to where you live - I have had held these at a local brewery and a coffee shop.
3. Invite People: Post the event on Nextdoor and in the Facebook group - both times I created a “get to know you” event, 10 women came to the first get-together!
4. Have Others Host: Then encourage different people to host each month so you can continue to get to know each other
5. Watch your community organically grow: I always create a culture of everybody is welcome so people feel free to invite people they know to the local get-togethers. This has allowed me to meet so many people I may never have. 

I promise you other women are out there looking for the same friendship, support, and community you are. They will be beyond grateful if you get the ball rolling. It takes courage to put yourself out there, and you’ll never regret it!!