What we’re about
Ready for the longest official Meetup group name ever?
(couldn't fit it in the main group title space)
Here goes:
"Introverted/Socially Awkward Progressives Who Love Life & People but Feel Increasingly Isolated in a World Where More and More People are Choosing Hate & Willful Ignorance Over Love & Reality"
Yes, I know this is an oddly specific group specification, but I know that there are many of us out there who are seeking more friendships and community in a world that feels like it's going crazy.
The internet can be nice for meeting people, but for most of us, there's a big gap between the online "friend" and someone in your own community who you can get to know in real life.
After years of experiencing dwindling social and familial circles, a small group of us are putting this out in the world to try to find the others like us and come together to build a new community of like-minded friends.
The Vision:
• A judgement-free, come-as-you-are community that goes deeper than labels--where it doesn't matter what you look like, who you love, what your family structure it, what you've had to overcome in your past, your formal education level, how much money you have, etc, etc--but rather where you'll be seen for who you are today and what's in your heart & mind
• An active community with lots of in-person, online, and one-on-one opportunities for connection & social activities
• A safe space for people who have traditionally had a hard time making new friendships as an adult, but who are open to being brave and showing up and working on that skill together with other people who are also raising their hands to say, "Yes, let's be awkward & talk and get to know each other"
• A supportive environment where those who enjoy working on their self-growth, personal development, and healing can talk about their unique journey, work through challenges, and learn from each other's wisdom and life experience
Who is welcome & encouraged to join:
• All ages, genders, marital & family statuses welcome--but the sweet spot for having things in common may be 30-50 year olds for whom dating isn't the top priority for joining this group.
• You live in the Plano/Yorkville/Sandwich IL area, Kendall County, or surrounding towns
• Individuals, couples, and whole families welcome!
• Progressive, open-minded, & accepting people who trust in science, have natural empathy & believe that all people should be free to live their happiest, most authentic lives
• Maybe you've had to end a number of relationships with friends and family members due to the recent political environment & and are feeling socially isolated and looking to rebuild a new, more heart-centered social circle
• Or you have an old circle of friends (that feel more like acquaintances) and your social life feels a bit empty since you realize that those friendships are mostly superficial and you don't have much in common in terms of big picture interests, motivations, and values
• Perhaps you consider yourself introverted, have social anxiety, or feel just plain socially awkward and struggle to strike up conversations with strangers or get new connections past the acquaintance-stage and into the friend-stage--even though you really want to.
• OR, you may actually consider yourself an extrovert, but you've spent less time going out lately because you're exhausted of having to sift through so many people in order to find those who align with your values
• You love people, have a desire to help others, and want to be a part of something bigger by giving yourself and your family a strong social circle that encourages building relationships and taking care of our friends and neighbors
**You don't have to fit all of the boxes to be a good fit. If you resonate with the overall vibe of this group posting, don't let your head get in the way by self-excluding yourself just because of a single bullet point :)
As the group grows, the plan is to have a network of people to share life with through both planned and spontaneous social activities like:
• Adult & family oriented group outings
• Regular casual dinners for discussion & connection
• Potlucks, backyard BBQs and bonfires
• Meeting up at local community events
• Movie nights
• Outdoor nature time like hiking, rafting, & camping for all fitness levels.
• Planned day or weekend trips out of town
• Building more one-on-one friendships (for individual meetups and even just for chatting/texting throughout the day or on social media)
• Getting to know more couples to hang out with
• Volunteering opportunities
• Attending political/social justice events
• Creating a close-knit and casual community of like-minded people for socialization & support
If you've gotten this far and are thinking, "Yes, this is exactly what I've been looking for!," please join and take the initiative to be an active force in making sure that this community is a success.
This is something we build TOGETHER.
Start by introducing yourself and making a commitment to check in on the group often to welcome in new members, RSVP for and attend events, and to intentionally build connections with your fellow community members.
Remember, we are all here for the same reason & have had similar struggles in the past with making new friends, so don't be shy or let your head get in the way. Connect with strong, positive intentions: Say hello, reach out your hand, get awkward, be forgiving, and let's build an amazing group of humans here <3