Why Belonging to Many Communities Is Better Than Belonging to Too Few

It’s easy to define yourself by a single community: your faith,  your profession, your politics, your favorite sports team, or one social circle - think family, friends, Facebook groups. It feels efficient. Clear. Safe.

But it’s also fragile. If you think about it, you probably belong to many communities and if you do not, there is danger. Danger of loneliness, depression, and lack of emotional support.

When your identity, support system, and sense of belonging all come from one place, any disruption can feel destabilizing. You may irrationally fight for your community, not wanting to deal with the separation and the sense of loss and purpose that comes with it. When there is no diversity of personal or professional communities, people begin to defend the few communities they have, even at the risk of ostracizing others. Even worse, it may hobble the ability to build future community.

Belonging to multiple communities creates resilience. Different communities meet different needs. One might challenge your thinking while another might support your wellbeing. A third might help you learn, teach, or give back. Together, they form a network that is more adaptable than any single group could ever be.

Multiple communities also prevent over-identification. You’re not just your job title or a single label. You’re not just one role. You’re a learner, a contributor, a mentor, a neighbor, a creator and sometimes all those things within your different communities.

This diversity of belonging:

·         Reduces burnout and isolation

·         Expands perspective and empathy

·         Creates opportunity through unexpected connections

·         Help you stay grounded during change

The goal isn’t to belong everywhere deeply, it’s to belong to enough places that challenge you meaningfully; personally, and professionally.

In a world that changes quickly, communities are not a distraction from success. They’re what make success sustainable and keep people emotionally balanced.

How many communities do you belong to? Are there any you are unwilling to give up?

To how many communities do you belong?

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• 0%More than three