Part One of Three
When you work for an emotionally healthy organization one of the nicest benefits, other than the paycheque, is that you become part of a community; building relationships with co-workers through shared experiences, celebrating successes and overcoming challenges.
Having a sense of belonging and purpose is an intrinsic human need, it can make us stronger, happier and give us a feeling of safety. A lack of purpose can lead to physical and mental health deterioration.
When you leave an organization one or two connections will be strong enough to withstand the challenge of maintaining a relationship when effort has to be made, but most won’t, there’s no blame to be laid, that’s just how life works, and even though you still have your family and non-work friends your community is suddenly much smaller.
Sometimes you move immediately to another job and are quickly part of a new community, but what if you remain unemployed for an extended period of time, either by choice or circumstance?
In the absence of employment there are other ways to ensure you feel a sense of purpose and connection, such as volunteering, joining a hobby group or taking a class, (more on this next week).
You might not notice right away, you might be focused on figuring out what to do next or enjoying your downtime, but one day you’ll look out the window and miss it, that feeling of belonging and contribution beyond your immediate surroundings, and you’ll know the time has come to create your new community.
Visit mydaisydaze next Friday for Part Two: “Volunteering, Connection and Disappointment”
Community is very important I agree. I always thought yours was vast and far reaching. You make a poignant statement about our attachment to what we do for a living and the connection to,those we do it with.
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Thanks Vanessa. I love getting your perspective.
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Humans are pack animals, so the need to belong to a community is only natural.
I never found a yearning for that, though. Not sure why exactly.
But I know people who are lost because of the things you describe. No matter what I suggest, they don’t listen. They will have to figure out their own way.
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Yes, folks have to work through these situations in their own way. I’m sure they appreciate your listening ear though.
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