Vulnerable post alert. Lately, I have been feeling disconnected, out of sorts, kind of lonely, and quite frankly kind of a mess, maybe a little depressed. I don’t know. I had actually started to write this post twice and my browser crashed because it was out of memory. Seems about right.

I have been talking to other Beautycounter leaders about this too. To say we are all in the same boat is no longer true. It almost feels like we are all in our own innertubes either flying down the mountain or floating down the river…just hoping to find the group that is together and hoping to paddle through the rough spots the best we can. Some people’s tubes popped and they are paddling for their lives. Some people are hanging on doing the best they can, but we are all just looking to link up to the person that has the music and the cooler of drinks…all the while some people are drowning.

This past weekend I was really looking forward to attending my daughter’s school gala. Especially because the last school gala was held two years ago, literally right before the pandemic started, shutting down life as we knew it. The money that is raised for the school, the teachers, and the staff is truly incredible. And yes, I certainly love getting dressed up, seeing my husband in a tux, having grown-up time to celebrate our wonderful school. It’s also a time, to be together in our community, surrounded by the people who are raising our children together.

However, I left the night, feeling sad and disappointed. Yes, the event was a huge success thanks to the organization and dedication of the gala chairs, Jennifer and Marti, and the entire gala committee. Why exactly was I feeling like this? Yes, there were face painters, a live auction, dancing, dinner, all the people and all the things. And the money that was raised is always incredible. Hellowww special generous people who contributed directly to our teachers’ bonuses! I can tell you it really wasn’t because I completely missed the wine pull and the heads or tails. And despite its criticism, it wasn’t the venue. It might also might surprise many of you who know me in real life, that I am an introvert. I call myself an outgoing introvert. So while I often look forward to big events, and seeing my people, I can get overwhelmed and awkward when all my people are together, all at the same time, all in one place.

I certainly don’t need to rehash our shared experience of what we have missed in the last two years and the exhaustive ways we have tried to remain connected. But what I can tell you is this: The fact that I thought that I would be able to jam two years of missed connection with people I really care about into two hours is probably one of the biggest delusions of the past two years and an expectation that I should have never put on myself. The truth is, I’ve been lazy in the name of independence and self-sufficiency. Thrown myself into work, hiding behind my computer and I have relied on other people to organize get-togethers and waited for invitations. I am paddling up the river and am tired, I am burned out and I need my people.

Finding Connection

Don’t make the mistake of trying to jam two years of missed connection into two hours.

Because I don’t believe in pure coincidence, yesterday, as I was scanning my podcast library the latest What’s Essential with Greg MeKeown podcast immediately jumped out at me: Jennie Allen On Finding Your People and Building Your Community. After listening to the podcast, I immediately downloaded Jennie Allen’s new book Find Your People on Audible, and will probably also order it from Brazos Bookstore as well, because who doesn’t love an independent book store these days?

I am committing to re-connecting with my people, and not just a yeah yeah yeah let’s grab a coffee or a drink or lunch sometime. I’m taking names and setting dates. I’m blocking time for connection in my calendar and setting reminders because quite frankly if I don’t, it just doesn’t happen and I’m left to the death scroll Instagram. So dumb. Thank God, Wordle, is only one word a day. But seriously, if we don’t start making these small steps, the isolation will kill us and the divisiveness that is pervasive right now will never end, and your friend who is paddling upstream might not find you.

Now, granted i’m only on chapter 2 of this book, so I’m sure there will be more insights to come. Is it weird that I need an intentional plan for connection? Probably not. I do create and implement systems for a living. Enough about me, what about you? Here are the three questions I will leave you with: Are you missing connection? Are you missing your people? Are you re-evaluating who you spend your time with? And for the love, are you drowning?

Feel free to connect with me either by dropping me a message (right down there in corner) or in the comments, if you feel so inclined and please if you need a lifeline, please reach out.

Looking For My People

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