Tips for Building In-Person Community?

[sidptitala]

-- I speak at a high B2 level, but still only speak English fluently, which apparently disqualifies me from most volunteer jobs here which is super frustrating.

That is frustrating!

One option could be to try to go to (or even start) any language exchange events. It could both help you meet people and help you get to a level of the language where you have more options.

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

Okay, I think I've figured out my next move. Found a few meet-up groups for writers. part of my work is writing, so it would be possible to use a writing group as a work session/maybe meet some friends session. And then I wouldn't feel so stressed (maybe) about spending so much time and effort on something that didn't pan out. I think this is why the gym classes are working for me, because they kill two birds with one stone (metaphorically), as I should be exercising anyway.

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

I found and signed up for two writing groups, one next week and one the week after. Fingers crossed it goes well!

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

Okay, I'm coming back to this thread because yesterday was really hard and made me feel like I was taking about five hundred steps backwards in my journey. But my life is not all a disaster and I need to remind myself of that. I went to two different writing groups I found and they were both really successful experiences. They meet once a week and I'm going to keep going. It'll take time to feel integrated into those communities but I feel good to have started the process and to have a few more points of contact with other folks throughout the week. I have to remember that progress is slow but it is still happening.

 

[Friday]

The people we encounter have profound influence on our lives.

Sometimes? We meet amazing people. Sometimes? Terrible. Mostly? Meh, middling, of no moment nor longevity. Our NEED for people, in a specific moment? Is soooooo damn durn down to luck. The amazing. The terrible. The forgettable.

Having had so much of the extremes? The amazing/terrible? I have to remind myself, often, that most people are neither.