The 5 Communities That Saved My Sanity

“Having a community is like having emotional Wi-Fi—when the connection is strong, everything in life works better.”

For the last five days, I’ve been reminding myself of something I tend to forget when life gets noisy: I’m not meant to do any of this alone. I used to think “community” was just a warm-and-fuzzy buzzword people tossed around in podcasts, but honestly? It’s been the anchor that keeps me steady when the world feels like a group chat I can’t mute. My friends are the ones who remind me I’m human—my people who show up when I’m stressed, tired, or doom-scrolling more than I’d like to admit. They’re my real-life Wi-Fi connection… and just like the actual Wi-Fi in my house, when that connection drops, everything else stops working right. My faith and spiritual community adds another layer. They help me zoom out when I’m lost in the day-to-day nonsense—like comparing my Tuesday to someone else’s Instagram highlight reel—and remind me there’s purpose in the quiet moments too.

Then there’s the community of two—the relationship that feels like a soft hoodie for the soul. This one matters more than I realized. Whether it’s a dating relationship or marriage, having one person who gets your inside jokes, sees your stress before you do, and supports your dreams even on the days you can’t find your own pep talk… that changes everything. In a world full of surface-level connections, having one deeply rooted connection is like finding a high-quality battery in a drawer full of cheap ones—you actually feel the difference. And when I think about my professional or creative community, that’s where I get challenged, sharpened, and encouraged to grow. These are the people who push me forward, not by force, but simply by being examples of what’s possible. They remind me that progress might be slow, but effort is never wasted.

And finally, my hobby or interest-based community—my pickleball crew, the people who show up with paddles, jokes, mismatched water bottles, and that one friend who insists today is the day they’re finally mastering their serve—these are the folks who help me breathe again. They’re the reason I smile a little more, laugh a little louder, and remember that life is supposed to feel good. Every time we rally, joke about missed shots, celebrate a great play, or pretend we’re training for the Pickleball Olympics, I’m reminded how powerful it is to have a group that feeds my joy.

When I put all five communities together—friends, faith, a community of two, professional partners, and yes, my pickleball crew—I see the full picture. My well-being isn’t built on just one strong connection; it’s built on several. Like a table with multiple legs, the more sturdy support we create around ourselves, the steadier and more grounded our lives become. These communities don’t just keep us balanced—they lift us up, redirect us when we drift, energize us when we're drained, and help keep us aligned with the positive, forward-moving life we're trying to build every day.

Be Positive, and have an amazing day.