Anybody else need a hug?
*extends arms Iyanla Vanzantly*
This year has been rough.
Actually, make that the past five years since the pandemic. It feels like we never truly recovered and reckoned with the isolation and loneliness 2020 begat. Instead, we’ve all been sitting in our little chairs at the table like that meme where the dog is surrounded by fire wearing a top hat saying, “This is fine.” (It’s not.)
Like that dog, a lot of us are deep in our own shit alone. And many feel like we need to get through the tough times by ourselves, lest we feel weak, shameful or incompetent. But that’s not the truth. The unfortunate reality is that society has been pushing isolation as a practice on us hard these past few years and we can’t blame it on remote work — though the return to office language companies have been using begs to differ.
Third spaces are closing. From libraries to local hang out spots, it used to be so much more accessible to find and hang out with your people. Social pressures and criminally sky-high rent killed the house pop-up culture our moms and aunties were accustom to. Want to hang out with friends? That’ll cost ya! And with groceries being higher than Snoop Dogg during “Soul Plane,” paying for community shouldn’t even be an option.
It shouldn’t be an option period! Especially when you realize how much we all yearn to be with one another. That was evident during the days leading up to the 15-hour long TikTok ban that we originally thought was indefinite. The app has its flaws and there are creators on there who put on airs, but the way most people allow themselves to show up genuinely on there — no filter, no script, just authenticity — is what a lot of folks are craving right now.
We all want to connect with each other in real ways.
So let’s stop just wanting and do it.
Whether you’re an extrovert in these streets or an introvert who hates being perceived, I’m happy you’ll be joining me on this journey to be intentional about fostering community. Subscribe to “Let’s Stay Connected” and I’ll be in your inbox regularly with news stories about finding community, hot takes for your group chat and cool events and businesses. And because I’m nosey and like to be in other people’s business, I’ll always have a question for y’all!
This week’s question: Will you be watching the Super Bowl? Where? With who? Are you watching for the game, the commercials or to see Kendrick Lamar cut up on the 50-yard line?
We all we got! Let’s stay connected!
I miss your podcast!