Finding Pockets of Community: Meet You There

After a relatively tough start to the year, I've been trying to fit in moments to try some new activities, give my brain a chance to focus on something different, and connect with people.

From big activities to small, they have all been attempts to take small moments to enjoy myself- and maybe even serve as a distraction. So far this year, I feel like I've tried it all! I've attended jewellery-making classes alone, done pottery painting with friends, joined 5 AM writing clubs, and even taken nighttime planetarium trips. Whether it is trying out a new activity or indulging in something I already know I enjoy, like a walk on the beach or a coffee with friends, each time I've walked away with a feeling difficult to describe. Connected, content, fulfilled. Mostly, just excited that my brain has been given the chance to fully focus on a new activity and learn something new. A total break from whatever life stress I had going on, and I thought I couldn't distract myself from. I've found that so far this year, I've needed moments like this more than ever. Small pockets of moments where you can reconnect with yourself or build your community. A little bit of fulfilment to get you through until the next hurdle!

And if I am honest, that is what I would like Meet You There to be. It is why I have started it. To build a community and find pockets of joy in our busy lives! I'm in my mid-20s and searching for community more than ever. Whether that is maintaining and sustaining the community I already have or taking steps to extend it further. I want to organise events that you can turn up to alone and leave with a sense of belonging. Moments to fully engage in trying a new activity, just for the sake of doing something for the fun of it - without any expectation to be good, or a desire to improve.

But when do we do all of these things? It's unrealistic for me to be aiming to do things like this every day. At 26, I like to think I know myself better than ever, and I know signing myself up to a new daily commitment is a crash course to failure for me. Everyone's different- but I know all I need is a new activity every week- maybe even every other week- to look forward to. I'm trialling different times of day. I'm currently writing this at a writing club in a book shop at 5AM. In a few weeks, I'm sure I'll be sleeping in until the last possible moment before work and looking forward to a craft club at the weekend. Each week looks different, and my energy levels fluctuate. It's important to listen to that in ourselves!

I'll be organising events for small groups, things that I've been wanting to do myself, and hopefully a few others will too! We all have different body clocks, and sometimes it's good to try to switch up our routines.

Come along, try something new, and meet new people in an unintimidating environment. Try to make the most of those pockets of joy! We all have life commitments, whether it's a 9-5, studies, doing a course, shift work, freelancing - whatever it might be, we're busy! And most of the time, we're tired. But if we can push ourselves (sometimes!) to take small moments for ourselves, alongside other people, that's when we build community.

As makes sense with the theme of this post, these events are being organised slowly, with intention and purpose. Please do keep yourself updated to find out more details on upcoming events. I cannot wait, and I am working hard to make them as authentic and unintimidating as possible- none of that horrible feeling of walking into an event not knowing whether to go up to someone and start a conversation. So don’t stress, as I hate those moments just as much as you!

When getting your ticket for Meet You There events, there are a few optional questions for you to fill out to help us get to know you a bit better and find out what would make attending events solo more comfortable for you. Perhaps you’d like to be introduced to someone on arrival, or maybe you’d like to just have a small, friendly chat with us when you arrive. Maybe you just want us to know you are attending alone and are nervous about it. That’s what the questions are there for! To help us get to know you, so we don’t all feel like total strangers walking into it.

I am excitedly planning the final part of our April event. Sea to Soil: A poetry workshop to celebrate Earth Day! Using prompts and natural materials as inspiration, the lovely Rosie from Recalibrate with Rosie will lead you through writing poetry in a way that feels pressure-free and authentic. You can get your tickets here.

In the meantime, you can join the MYT community by signing up and registering your interest for upcoming events here: