As a society, we’ve become increasingly detached from each other due to busy schedules, advances in technology—and more recently—a global pandemic. With all this in the way, it can be hard to feel a sense of community or have people to count on.
From increasing social interactions to offering your support, there are plenty of ways to become more connected with your community.
1. Welcome new neighbors
One of the easiest ways to connect with your community is to simply welcome new families when they move to the neighborhood. Once they’ve settled in, stop by introduce yourself and your family to them. Make them feel like they’re a part of the neighborhood. Conversely, you can connect with those who are moving away from the neighborhood by either offering to help out or simply stopping by to wish them well.
2. Show up
Go to your neighbor’s party, help with someone’s garage sale, or simply offer a hand you’re your neighbor’s groceries. It’s easy to be complacent, but sometimes just showing up makes a difference—in your life and in someone else’s.
3. Start a social media group
If you live in an active-adult community or similar residential area , it helps to have a social media connection. Start a Facebook group for announcements, questions, concerns, and more. Did someone lose a pet? Is bulk pickup cancelled? Whatever the case may be, having a social outlet to check in with can help you stay informed and connected.
4. Beautify your neighborhood
Creating community is not just about connecting with people—it’s also about showing your neighborhood some love. Create or participate in a neighborhood cleanup or improvement project. This is a fun and active way to meet new people and help your neighborhood looks its best.
5. Start a community garden
If there’s space in the area that seems to have landscape potential, consider turning it into a community garden. Not only is this a terrific way to spend time getting some fresh air, but you also get to interact with others who join in and enjoy fresh, seasonal produce.
Cultivating a sense of community is a simple way to help out those who need it—and those who don’t even realize they do. So, go out of your way to make others feel welcome, safe, and included. Overall, this will make your neighborhood a more enjoyable place to live and who doesn’t want that?