What is community? Many people may find a sense of community through many different things. Their religion, values, hobbies and interests, where they live or were born, the movies they like. The list goes on and on. I think for mothers, we look for a group of people who make it feel as if we are not alone.
People who let us know that what we are going through, the things we do or think and how we choose to raise our children are all okay. We want a place that is judgment free. One where we can be ourselves and vent our frustrations. We are looking for meaningful relationships with women like us who have experienced the same things we have.
These women may be found in our community, through our church, or through our friends, online even. I think as mothers, it is important that we find a sense of belonging. We often feel so alone on our journey. Especially as new mothers. We feel as if nobody really understands what we’re going through or the pressure of trying to keep it all together. Knowing that there are other women out there experiencing the same things make us feel less alone. If we are lucky enough to find a community of people who are near us and that we can lean on then I think we’ve won the jackpot. Having someone you can call on for help or who you can turn to for support when you need it is priceless. Having an entire community of those people is about as good as it will ever get.
We might find our community through our local book club or through an online mother’s group. A community can be found just about anywhere. We may find them
at the park, playing with their child, or sitting there looking exhausted just like us. They might be college students, waitresses, or doctors. They can be anywhere and everywhere.
The important thing is that there are there. There for us when we need them and us there for them as well. That we find support, kindness, and understanding in each other and that we make this journey of motherhood a little bit less lonely. For me, it started with an online writer’s group, now I have an entire community of writers who I turn to when I feel lonely or tired or frustrated. They know they can turn to me too. We understand each other because we work doing the same thing. We’re all different ages and all have different backgrounds. Some of us are mothers. Some women are out there just trying to make it in this crazy world. So, don’t be afraid to go out there and find your community. You never know where it might be.