Happy Wednesday, everyone! Hope you're all doing well! How is everyone celebrating Easter this weekend? Holidays bring up a lot for me (as you may already know). Ever since my mom passed away, our family traditions have changed. Mom was always the one who made the house beautiful, the one who made everything festive ... I don’t even remember what we did last year (our first Easter without her).
A couple of days ago, family friends invited us to spend Easter with them. Before the invite, I hadn’t even thought about how our small family would celebrate, so it warmed my heart that people were thinking of us. It also got me thinking about how people build communities. I realize now that my mom was a community builder: she found every opportunity to make moments special; she always reached out to people who may not have had big holiday plans. And the family who invited us for Easter always posts pictures online of their whole gang together. It seems like they really enjoy each other’s company. Every generation participates … children, young adults, parents, and grandparents!
So as I adjust to living without my mom, to living in Canada again, I’m learning to build community. This week, I thought I would share a few things I'm trying out:
For me, it’s about making deposits. If I've enjoyed someone’s company in the past, I reach out! So often I’ve sat and waited for opportunities to present themselves, but I’m learning that I am responsible for building my own group of friends.
I'm an introvert, so I started small. I made a list of people whose company I’ve enjoyed (like co-workers, acquaintances, old friends, and family members) and I've started wishing them a happy birthday. That’s it! Simple! I'll write a heartfelt message and reference the last time we saw each other. And the idea is that I don't just do it when a notification pops up on social media; I actually write it down on a calendar.
Now that I'm getting more comfortable, I'm also trying to make in-person plans — barbeques and bonfires. I invite people who I've been meaning to connect with. And my plan this summer is to gather bigger groups so that different people from different parts of my life can mingle too. (I’ll let you know how that goes!)
Lastly, I’m trying to take note of those who are reaching out (these are the kinds of people I want in my circle). And I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone by accepting their invitations, and I'm returning the favor when I can.
Are you a community builder? Do you know anyone who is? What are your tips and tricks? Let me know in the comments below!
Wishing you all a happy Easter weekend! 🐰
