A fab reader Mindy Essex asked me a fab question and I, in turn, do what I do best: asked other fab people – my heart tribe – what they think. Shaazzam! A post chock-a-block-full of fab-u-licious ideas. If you read this and aren’t inspired, please have somebody check your pulse. You may have died without noticing.
But wait! You might ask, what was the question?
If you had to relocate to a place in which you knew virtually no one, how would you go about finding or creating a community of intelligent, creative, professional women (very much like yourself) who are interested in becoming their best self in order to do their best work – whatever that may be?
Of course, the following wisdom will work if you want to extend or refresh your present tribe without moving. Thanks to all of these amazing smarty pants – be sure and click on their links to expand your world. And why not forward this anyone you know who it moving or lonely? That’s savoring & serving in style.
I moved to Amsterdam for the fall 3 years ago and knew no-one. Before I left I started @craveamsterdam on twitter and followed like-minded women entrepreneurs. I tweeted content relating to business and responded to comments. When I got to Amsterdam, I had coffee dates and lunches set up. In two months I had over 30 new contacts that lead to me starting a business there shortly after. Without twitter this could not have happened so fast. — Melody Biringer
My number one choice for meeting people in a strange new place would be to do a little advance footwork from a comfortable old one: poking around on the twitters/Facebook for like-minded souls in a particular location can be done from your present home as well as your new one. But in a new place, I’d try the same thing (poking through friends of friends by location, then perhaps asking for introductions, searching Meetup groups, etc.). I’d just augment it with visits to the kinds of places where One’s People tend to hang—in my case, where they pull a good Americano, the few remaining bookstores, theaters, cool lecture societies, and so on. And if you’re totally flummoxed, consider service groups like Toastmasters. Friendly folk, plus you’ll learn something, to boot. — Colleen Wainwright
Stay connected with the people you’ve already found, because no matter where you all are, you’re weaving a web of light that is sustaining all of you. Ask this question now, before you get caught in settling your new life: who do you want to be? Decide right now to be that. Then go out & do that in every moment. Your people will come to you in surprising ways, because they’re all looking for you, too. — Brian Andreas
The best thing I ever learned was to meet face-to-face and be genuinely curious about the person across from you. And always, always ask the question: Who else do you know that I should be talking to? This makes visible the invisible network of interesting, passionate women in your new community. We’re out there, we just need to know that you’re here! — Jen Hofmann
I would peruse the local newspapers for interviews with people who seem like kindred spirits and then I’d contact them, tell them about myself and ask if they’d like to have coffee. This technique is really forward, but if you have an online presence to back up your email, your legitimacy as a kindred spirit comes through. Also, I’d join a local knitting group. — Bridget Pilloud
Just show up, with bells on if ya have them (as in: be enthusiastically IN and AVAILABLE when you arrive. Go where the vibration is high for you–whatever that means for you.) Eyes UP and AROUND (when you are getting into the groove–graze with your eyes. What are you drawn to? What areas of town? When you are in community, who’s eyes lock with yours and invite you in.) Be inviting and invite others with clear intention: “Hi, you seem interesting and I’m new here, want to take a walk together?” Keep it easy breezy. — Dyana Valentine
When I go to places and events that attract me, I invariably meet other kindred spirits. The key is to allow ourselves to tell the truth and be vulnerable, “I’m brand new here and am eager (desperate, in fact!) to connect with more intelligent and creative women like you. Would you be willing to be my big sis’ for a while?” — Gail Larsen
I’d do what I always do in a new town, whether I’m visiting, or staying awhile: go to the bookstore. Especially in a foreign country, where I’d head for the nearest English-language bookstore. Hang around awhile, look at the books that interest you and see who else is also looking at them. If no one in particular is around, strike up a conversation with the bookstore owner or clerk. — Barbara Sher
I’ve relocated twice in the last five years. Both times to places I knew not a soul. My secrets ? #1 I began before I left. #2 I took those connections with me. #3 I selectively invited new, knock-my-socks-off women to join the party already in progress. #4. Viva FreeConference.com & SKYPE video! — Lissa Boles
Get thee to the nearest gay bar, pronto. . — Alexandra Franzen
I would make a collage about the essence of the community I want to create. Then I would follow my intuition starting with a bookstore (old fashioned me), followed by a library, educational centers, art galleries, spiritual communities, a health food store, and any funky cafes. Next, I would link with my social media buds. — Gail McMeekin
Open my heart up wide to this desire and visualize the Universe as kind witness to my longing. Expect connections that I can act on to emerge. Assume that their timing and packaging won’t always be what I’d script for them. Lean into trust that all is always as it needs to be. — Kristin Noelle
As the daughter of a Marine, my nomadic ways began at a very young age and have stayed with me throughout my life. I have moved and re-located many times, and over the years have come to appreciate the space of time when I am in a new area and don’t know anyone. There is something freeing about it, something “blank slate-ish” about it that I’ve learned to love. Not that I want to be a different person all of a sudden, but that I am free to enjoy calm and quiet and silence more than if I walked into a new environment with a circle of friends fully formed. Savor the time when you are flitting about more freely. You will find your people; in the meantime, let the wind take you where it will. — Christina Miller
Tap into your virtual communities both for ongoing support you can take with you and to ask for connections near your new home. Once relocated, ask “Who can I most help? Right here. Right now.” Then boldly go serve these people. When you serve from a place of passion and compassion, you will quickly find opportunities to network with others dedicated to living their best life design. — Dr. Mollie Marti
Incidentally, I just relocated to a new city in August, so I’m familiar with this scenario! I don’t mean to sound glib, but I’d start by checking in with myself to make sure that I was doing my best work to become my best self, because I believe that that radiates. After that? My approach would be pretty low-key. I’d be going to yoga classes, writer’s groups, meditation centers, and just meeting people and getting a sense for who they are. Energy speaks volumes, and the way that we interact when we first meet–is there that “pop pop!” of friendship chemistry?–would mean more to me than whether or not someone was self-identifying as intelligent, creative, professional. I would also utilize resources from MeetUp, which I have found to be a good place to find groups of people who are getting together over like-minded interests. — Kate Swoboda
I would start by asking why I want this community. Whatever you want from that group of women, find ways to bring it into your new life now. Then you sail your magnificent self out the door of your new abode, and move toward the people. Every day. Follow your instinct, go where the people are, and let the beauty of who you are draw your people to you. May your new life be a pageant of wonder! — Max Daniels
First, with social media, it’s getting increasingly difficult to relocate to a place where I know virtually no one. But, if I did, I’d probably jump online and find people on twitter and/or Facebook in my area and start conversations. I’d check meetup.com for local groups with shared interests. And, gulp, I might even go to the local library, community center, school, yoga studio or spiritually-based place and look for real live people who share common values and interests and build conversations from there. — Jonathan Fields
I did this exact thing when I moved to Bath. When I look at the women I now have in my (local) tribe, I see that I found all of them through my blog. It acted like a lighthouse that caught the attention of the right people, who then reached out to me… we had coffee… the rest is history. So write a blog. Be visible. Be real. Send your intention out there and always know where your nearest Starbucks is. — Susannah Conway
The first thing I’d do in my new locale is find the yoga studio. I would scour the Events postings, befriend fellow students, and get a sense of the city vibe. The women I want to meet are probably yoginis in addition to whatever they do professionally. — Amy Kessel
1. Insinuate yourself into the heart of creative, professional, spiritual hub-bub. Go to events, centers, co-working spaces, Meet Ups – wherever the desired action is. (Tons of creativity MeetUp groups online!)
2. Observe. Find allies. It only takes two to build a community and change a neighborhood.
3. Volunteer audaciously. Assume leadership. Host your own event or gathering.
4. Let go of outcome.
5. Be thy radiant self.
— Jeffrey Davis
Do what you love. For me, this means, being a part of art local shows, going to Burning Man and camping with people from my city, talking to “strangers” who I feel an intuitive attraction to (one of my favorite pastimes:)) and volunteering at places I feel passionate about—all great ways to meet like-minded people while following my passions at the same time. — Flora Bowley
There are many local organizations already in place, no matter where you relocate, and you can leverage them easily to create your own community. Pick up a plain ol’ phone book and look for community development groups, business centers, clubs and existing meet-ups. Then get in touch with them: Present a plan for what you’d like to achieve and ask for their help.
Many people have also successfully organized workshop dinners – they organize a presentation, contact a restaurant, reserve the space and advertise an educational evening over fine dining and wine. Others put on smaller workshops or events – a Saturday afternoon presentation on a specific topic. This gives attendees a chance to learn and network, and it also gives you a chance to introduce yourself to the community and present your services.
Oh, and why not steal ideas? Try to think of local events YOU might like to attend after browsing what’s up and coming in newspapers or on bulletin boards – then brainstorm ways you can put together the same sort of event for other people and get them signing up! — James Chartrand
I’ve done this. In 2005 I moved across the country to California where I didn’t know anyone at all. There were a few things I did that helped me create community and from which I was able to find like-minded women.
a) I got a job at a popular cafe. I got to know all the regulars and had a place to go where, soon, everyone knew my name.
b) I began hosting my own community potluck dinners in my house. Inviting anyone and everyone I met and it was a huge success.
c) I went every Saturday to the farmers market and over time formed relationships with the other regular shoppers and vendors.
— Rachel Cole
Get crystal clear about the mojo you want so that you can spot it when you see it. Make hand drawn posters that tell people why this matters. Then go old school: Plaster them anywhere + everywhere that might match the mojo of your community. — Fabeku Fatunmise
Go forth and tribe it up! LOVE love LOVE!
