Day 3: Resources
Now that you’ve thought about what is needed, start thinking about what you have to offer. I think the key to examining available resources is not to discount anything and to not judge yourself based on what you think you should offer. There is some part of me that thinks that the food I serve should be gourmet level, that people who walk into my house should be excited to see what new, inventive, delicious meal I have on offer today. The reality is that I find cooking for large crowds exhausting, and so usually, if it’s more than just my family, the food will either be from a crockpot or a casserole dish. And that’s ok.
It’s ok if you live in a tiny apartment and can’t host a ton of people. It’s ok if you don’t have the organization to pull together a regular game night complete with potluck and rotating hosting duties. It’s ok if your life is just very overwhelming right now in every way and you barely have the time to put on pants. (Ok, if you’re in that third one, go back to day 1 and get your self-care on. You deserve it.)
What do you have? Is there a park near your house where people could get together? Do you have knowledge of a sport that can be played as a group? Do you own an Instant Pot? Do you know a lot of people? Do you own a lot of board games? Do you like to read and discuss books? Use it. And more than using it, find people who have complementary abilities who can help you. List out what a good community gathering would require in your mind. Figure out what you are able to provide and then who you can ask to help out.
Most of all, be generous with yourself. Community is not made up of the efforts of just one person, although you may be doing a bit of heavy lifting at the beginning. You are but one piece of this puzzle and that’s the way it should be.
What resources do you have to build your community today?