small town organizing

In the last couple years I find myself planning things I wouldn't have done in the past because they felt too vulnerable. Because what if no one came? What if no one responded? What if it didn't work out? As I get older, I worry about it less and just see what happens. It does help that I've gathered at least a small handful of friends that are game and often make time in their schedules to turn up. But in an age where loneliness has become an epidemic and community is so needed, I think it's something more people should practice. If you see a void in your community, you don't need permission to fill it! Make the discord, plan the event, do the thing. And on the opposite side, participate! Go outside of your comfort zone, be inconvenienced, meet people, it's worth it. 

This is how that's looked for me so far this year: 

☛ I threw out an invite to my local artist group on facebook and on my instagram stories to meet up and draw together at my city art museum.

☛ Holding zinester meetups at our a local music joint.

☛ Hosting craft/art project nights for friends and locals.

☛ Creating a discord for local artists to try and grow a closer community.

☛ Attending a wide variety of things like turning up if a friend was running an event, protesting, meetups, and showing support for local spaces that need it.

The goal doesn't need to be getting a certain amount of people to turn up, the goal is to do a cool, fun thing you want to see in the world. Even if just one or two people turn up, consider it a success! You did it! And if you keep doing it, it'll likely build. Conversely, it's important to support places, events, ideas, and people when you want them to succeed.