The Value of Community & Connection

Lately, I've noticed the need for community and connection has grown exponentially.

In an article I read recently, 'Why Loving Moments With Strangers Carry Lasting Benefits' they talk about the surprisingly powerful effects of small, everyday interactions with strangers.

Even a simple hello, a smile, or a brief acknowledgment can brighten someone’s day. Studies suggest they boost mental health, lower stress, and even foster a subtle sense of belonging. Something as small as making eye contact with the cashier or saying thank you to someone you barely know can ripple out in ways we often underestimate. So, the next time you like someone’s outfit, stop and compliment them.

"The quality of people’s interactions with strangers and acquaintances predicted their reported loneliness, sense of belonging, and mental health symptoms just as strongly as the quality of their close relationships. Quality interactions with strangers and acquaintances didn’t just matter for well-being; they mattered just as much as your inner circle."

Then there’s Amanda Littman’s experiment: she hosted friends and neighbors for 52 weekends in a row. Every week, rain or shine, sickness or cancellation - she and her husband filled their dinner table with people, food and conversation. It wasn’t a formal event - it was simple dinners, messy and comfortable, but by showing up consistently, she built rituals of belonging and trust that transformed ordinary weekends into something extraordinary. You can read more here.

“I might go so far as to say that having dinner with friends 52 weekends in a row is the most political thing I did in 2025.” she says.

Most recently, I’ve joined Group Life, Priya Parker’s Substack community, where she explores how people are craving regular group gatherings, not for a specific goal, but simply to be seen, share space, and feel part of something larger.

Last year, I joined a similar community - a group of women in my neighborhood who met every Tuesday to walk by the ocean, during sunset. And it was the most fun part of Tuesdays for me. That meeting grew into mimosa parties, taco diners, and even a Friendsgiving get-together.

It makes me wonder: how are we connecting with people these days? Where are we forming our communities - and how are we showing up for each other? Even the smallest gestures - a smile, a check-in, an invite, can quietly shift the texture of our days, our neighborhoods, and our lives.

This week, notice one small connection you can create - old friend, new neighbor, or even a stranger. What might that tiny gesture ripple into?