What Does Community Mean to You?

Until a year ago, I strongly believed I did not need community. I believed I could go this writing life alone. Acknowledgement pages in books made me cringe. How could I possibly generate enough energy to engage with that many people, even in the effort of achieving a goal so dear to my heart – publishing my writing?

Writers are solitary beings, right? We love our solitude. Or is that just me? Solitude, which includes peaceful companionship with my husband, is how I recharge my batteries. It is how I recharge from days that I need to spend time “out there,” where the world can be so loud, so “people-y.”

Photo by Ekansh Saxena on Unsplash

Please understand, I do enjoy a riotous great time among family and friends, full of loud, full-bodied laughter, with no regrets, just joyful memories made.

Afterward, I retreat to recharge. My spoons run low, my energy bottoms out, even when I have had the best of times with people I love. Thanks, Multiple Sclerosis; energy thief on every level. My sarcasm runs high regarding M.S.

Neurologic fatigue is a major factor in my previous belief that I did not need community. I could not imagine having the spoons, or reserve energy available, to be able to engage in community

It's a common saying that we have to hit rock bottom before we can accept that we need and want help, including needing and wanting change in our lives - the kind of change that reaches the deepest parts of us, the kind of change that alters the trajectory of our lives.

Complete burnout led me to my rock bottom. I was burned out to my core. There wasn’t one event or situation that caused it. It was the result of a multi-year series of events that began with deep grief over the death of my service dog, Pearlie. I could not write for four years. I was so stuck. Her death was followed by the intense stress of caregiving, followed by more loss.

I was doom scrolling social media out of boredom one day and an ad caught my eye. It was Anne Lamott, an author I deeply respect. Her book, “Bird by Bird,” lit a fire in my heart over 25-years ago by showing me that I could be a writer. But life intervened. Truthfully, I allowed life to intervene. Life did not keep me from my writing dream – that’s all on me.

Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

In the ad that poked my writer’s heart into consciousness, Anne Lamott was promoting a writer’s retreat to be held in Santa Fe, NM. My mind lit up; my eyes softened, allowing my brain to imagine…what if? What if I could attend that retreat? What if I could be in the presence of Anne Lamott? What if my writing dream was still possible? The idea was thrilling and even a bit scary. It felt like a risk. It also felt like hope.

A few days later, a different ad popped up. I stopped in my tracks. It was Julia Cameron. Another author, and healer of creatives. She is someone I also deeply respect. Her ad was for the same retreat! They were both going to be there! I pondered my options. Could I physically muster the energy to attend in person? I knew the answer was no. Then I noticed the retreat had a virtual option. Without another thought, I bought my ticket to the virtual Santa Fe retreat. I felt selfish for spending the money on myself, and for committing the time needed to immerse myself in pursuit of my dream.  I worried - would be able to attend all sessions, even with the comforts of home?

I took the risk.

And it

changed

my

life.

The experience was vibrant, thrilling, and deeply emotional. It was healing.

So many of us were hesitant to call ourselves writers that weekend. It was a stretch, initially, to imagine…what if? What if I AM a writer? What does that mean? What will my family & friends think? How will they react? I was still so shy that I did not turn on my camera or my audio during that three-day weekend, nor for a few months afterward. (More about how that dramatically changed in a future post.)

I learned that the right Community (with a capital “C” as I now refer to it), can be a source of nourishment, empathy and encouragement. Community is about serving, and allowing yourself to be served. Community offers strength, courage, and energy, to aide you on your creative journey when your own stores are low. Community is about propping one another up, and reminding each other that our art matters, our words matter…because WE matter.

As Amie McNee has taught us, “The world needs your art!”

Anne Lamott reminds us, “You have work due.”

In Community, we have been pondering about what has changed for us since that retreat. We are about to enter into a new season of growth. This year’s retreat is coming right up in October. It is titled “Writers Rising.” It is so perfectly described in those two words.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

As writers, in the Community at AWritersRoom.com, we have risen in our confidence as writers, in creating and improving our daily writing routine, in healing from our individual trauma, and are no longer stuck. The growth in each individual has been an honor to witness. We are truly “Writers Rising.”

We now know what Community means.

I now know what Community means to me. I now know how desperately I needed community; this Community.

The year ahead is sure to be one of exponential growth in each of us. Many have published books. Many have published articles. And many are putting final editing touches on books that are soon to be published. Many have set boundaries and prioritized their writing. They’ve found their voice. Their words matter, because THEY matter.

What will the next year hold? What will we express in the fall of 2025, right before our next retreat? How far, and in what ways, will we rise?

I’m so excited to attend “Writers Rising,” virtually this year. The virtual Community is vibrant, interactive, and supportive. Many of my new writing friends are attending in person. I’m so excited for them and cannot wait to hear all about it!

I know that no matter which way we attend, our lives are about to expand, grow, deepen, and become even more fulfilling, in ways we’ve not yet imagined.

Community – with a capital “C”- in A Writing Room, has been C.P.R. for my Writer’s Heart. I am ever grateful.

How has the last year changed for you? In what ways have you grown as a person, and a creative? What do you need to experience the growth you long for?

What if…you immersed yourself in YOUR dream…in Community?

How would you feel, and what would you say, at this time next year?

If you don’t know…imagine that you do.

With all the beautiful and powerful ways that I’ve grown, and been so honored to witness in others, I can’t help but tell everyone to buy their ticket to the “Writers Rising” retreat. I don’t want anyone to miss out on making their creative dreams come to fruition. I don’t get paid for expressing my enthusiasm. I just want everyone to experience the awe, the growth, and the heartfelt support of fellow creatives. I want others to experience true Community – especially those who, like I used to be, don’t believe they need Community.

(I’ll share a link to the “Writers Rising Retreat” in the comments for those who are interested.)

Life is quite a journey – best shared in Community – I’ve discovered. I’m ever-grateful.

What does Community mean to you?

YOU matter! It’s time to make YOUR dreams come true!