Why do you need community in your life?

Why do you need community in your life?

When I was growing up I was surrounded by family. My aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Every weekend I saw them and although I didn't know it at the time I was truly blessed to have this amazing connection. I just thought it was normal.

Fast forward to now, I'm nearing 50 and I live on top of a mountain in Wales 3 hours away from aforementioned family.

What happened? Life I guess

We all grew up, we all have families of our own. My dad passed away 8 years ago, my brother passed 3 years ago and most of my dad's family moved away over the border.

And this is what I see happening time and time again. Families splitting up, no connection with extended family. Yes we have a group chat but it's not the same as seeing everyone. My cousins who even during our clubbing days I'd see every weekend are all, as I am busy with their own families and work and their own lives.

Families across the country split,  perhaps still divided over their actions or beliefs. Each one of them thinking they were doing their best for their families.

There are so many now who are alone, single mothers especially, who feel they have no support, no friends and no support networks. Family groups isolated from their friendship groups, parents from their children and children from their parents,  siblings, even grandparents. 

Creating a great void in their lives and no way it seems to fill it.

This is why being part of a community is so important. 

Being part of a community increases your level of safety as you feel included and supported.

Lonliness is bad for your health

Having others to talk to stops you getting lonely. Loneliness can cause a great deal of physical health and mental health issues such as headaches, insomnia, and it can be harder to fight infection due to the increase of norepinephrine which in turn creates more white blood cells shutting down your natural immunity.

Find out more about what lonliness does to your body here

Lonliness can also take the joy out of life. You can find it hard to find things to look forward to and you can lose hope.

Being part of a community extends your life

Being part of a community can give you a sense of purpose and bring hope to your life. It gives you something positive to think about and something good to look forward to.

Human beings are hard wired for community living. Centuries ago one of the worst punishments you could recieve was being banished from your tribe and left to wonder the lands alone.

Community brings us safety, security, connection and support.

There is nothing more uplifting than to know your not alone. Nothing more powerful than feeling heard and being understood.

Community enables you to share ideas and to learn new skills or information. 

It helps you to make light work of tasks as you all pull together.

And being part of a community can help you keep to keep those promises of well being that you made to yourself.

Still looking for your community? Come and be part of ours at The Community Camping and Healing Gatherings nr Llanelli, Wales