Perhaps community is the buzzword for 2026, but who is fostering community as a verb rather than a noun? How do we get back to the community ideology that raised us?
Community is something thats easy to say but hard to describe and honestly, even harder to make, to be of. I think, honestly, our Western way of life influences our thoughts on community and often influences many into seeing it as transactional as our markets. But at the same time, communities of old were largely held up by silent labor, and we have to learn how to honor all who work it. Believe me, I've had PLENTY of thoughts about community as well! Great work as always.
Community is a hard space to build, cultivate, connect to, find space to show up authentically. Sometimes it's the first place you feel accepted, rejected, overwhelmed, unappreciated, inspired and and loved. It's all of these things but only a few words are allowed to describe it without people passing judgment on those who put the most work into building and maintaining certain spaces. Reciprocity is an afterthought. It's like how dare you have the audacity to speak of any discomfort while in Community. Audacity is the place you must never find yourself in when the entitlement of those you're in community with decides your voice becomes a threat to the comfort they sit in, within the spaces you created.
Great read. My husband and I talk all the time about how convenience is killing community.
We live in an era obsessed with eliminating friction. If an experience cannot be enjoyed in two clicks, streamed to a screen, or enjoyed while multitasking, the modern marketplace deems it as “inaccessible”.
Community is something thats easy to say but hard to describe and honestly, even harder to make, to be of. I think, honestly, our Western way of life influences our thoughts on community and often influences many into seeing it as transactional as our markets. But at the same time, communities of old were largely held up by silent labor, and we have to learn how to honor all who work it. Believe me, I've had PLENTY of thoughts about community as well! Great work as always.
FELT. Thank you for writing this, for the work you do to cultivate community and for the encouragement in knowing that I’m not alone in my fatigue.
Community is a hard space to build, cultivate, connect to, find space to show up authentically. Sometimes it's the first place you feel accepted, rejected, overwhelmed, unappreciated, inspired and and loved. It's all of these things but only a few words are allowed to describe it without people passing judgment on those who put the most work into building and maintaining certain spaces. Reciprocity is an afterthought. It's like how dare you have the audacity to speak of any discomfort while in Community. Audacity is the place you must never find yourself in when the entitlement of those you're in community with decides your voice becomes a threat to the comfort they sit in, within the spaces you created.
That's real.
community is something i'm learning i need to cultivate more, and do so intentionally. it's a process.
i would love the link for submissions if it's still open!
Great read. My husband and I talk all the time about how convenience is killing community.
We live in an era obsessed with eliminating friction. If an experience cannot be enjoyed in two clicks, streamed to a screen, or enjoyed while multitasking, the modern marketplace deems it as “inaccessible”.
I would like the link to share my writing.
This was so great! I’d love the submission link.