Community is one of the core components of life. Having a sense of belonging and a group of people you can rely on when times get tough can alter the trajectory of your life.
There are many ways to define community and methods of finding people that make you feel like you belong. In fact, many people have multiple communities where they feel welcome and supported that relate to their needs and interests.
This accessible guide walks through why it's important to find community, how to identify a quality community, and offers some inspiration for how you can find people that feel like home.
What is the Definition of Community?
There's not one correct way to define community. What a person is looking for and what they value will influence individual definitions.
After conducting some research, this definition from Cambridge Dictionary really resonated with me and how I view community, "The people living in one particular area or people who are considered a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality."
In today's climate, many people find their groups online whereas in the past, many people found their groups in their neighborhoods. Regardless of where you find it, as long as you have people that make you feel like you belong, that's all that matters.
Why is Community Important?
The need to feel loved and like you belong is one of the tiers of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which is the theory that explores human motivation and how we feel fulfilled. Finding your community is a great way to satisfy that need.
A community can also give you a sense of purpose and make you feel like part of something larger than yourself. It's a way to develop social skills and lead with empathy in other areas of your life.
When times are tough and you need a shoulder to lean on, having a group of people that make you feel safe and care for you can be the very thing that helps you get through those hard times. It is through our communities that we learn to be the best versions of ourselves.
What are the 5 Qualities of a Good Community?
A quality community is going to differ from person to person. Not everyone is looking for the same things which means defining a good community is truly subjective.
While there are many different ways you can look at it, we think there are key features all communities should have that can help you determine if they are quality or not.
When you're trying to find your people, look out for these 5 qualities to determine if a community is right for you:
- Shared purpose. You don't have to all be the same and think alike. People within a community are going to be diverse and have different opinions. What matters is having some kind of common goal or shared purpose that everyone agrees on. This is what keeps a community strong when disagreements arise.
- Respect. All members of a community need to treat each other with respect. It's hard to feel safe or like you belong if you feel disrespected. It's also important that you come into a community with the mentality that you will treat each member with the utmost respect.
- Openness. It takes a certain level of vulnerability to truly create a safe space. You don't have to spill all of your secrets, but you do need to be willing to open up to members of the group. It's important that you feel like you can truly be yourself and share what's on your mind without any judgment.
- Empathy. Members of a community need to have empathy towards one another to maintain that safe space. This is very similar to showing each other respect. You need to maintain that safe space. This is very similar to showing each other respect. You need to be able to listen to others without judging them and approach members with kindness.
- Willingness to help. When a community member asks for help, you need to be prepared to jump in and offer it. When time comes for you to ask for some support, your community will remember how you reacted when someone else was in need. Giving back can make your community better and stronger.
There are many other qualities to look out for when trying to find a community. Think of why you feel like that need isn't being fulfilled to figure out what else is important to you.
What are 5 Examples of Communities?
There are hundreds of communities out there that might be the right fit for you. From your interests to the place you life, you can easily find groups that will welcome you and make you feel like you belong.
If you aren't sure where to start or need some examples of what a community could be, check out these 5 types to spark some inspiration:
- Neighborhoods
- Book clubs
- Church groups
- Video game forums
- Jewelry collectors
Think of what you like to do, what your values are, and where you live to start your search. You might realize that you already have communities and just need to be more active in them.
CONQUERing Community for Fidget Jewelry Collectors
When we first started CONQUERing, we had no clue that it would grow into what it is today. The community that has developed over the last few years is something we never could have imagined.
The community started with people who wanted to swap their elements and share their love of fidget jewelry with each other. It then grew to feature SuperFans of the brand that would meet up in person, support one another virtually through hard times, and lift one another up.
These SuperFans empower each other to be the best versions of themselves. They share their favorite pieces of fidget jewelry, help out friends who miss a product drop, and have formed lifelong friendships.
The CONQUERing community is such a special part of our business. The more it grows the more we know we're getting closer to our mission of empowering millions of people. We wouldn't be where we are today without our community.
If you want to start your fidget jewelry collection and become a member of the CONQUERing community, check out our products!
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