Community Great and Small
A healthy habit I have in my life is the community I have built through support groups. Building community through support groups has greatly enriched my life as a chronic illness warrior as well as a survivor of childhood abuse. I participate in a support group as a co-facilitator at times and I attend another meeting on a different night to ignite my desire for change and cope. I both enjoy and appreciate being of service to the group as a leader and mediator. It is very rewarding and challenging. I encourage people to seek out support, whatever that looks like for them.
Getting involved doesn’t have to be intimidating. Listening is my most important skill. Releasing the past and mourning the loss of those who don’t support me has been a freeing experience. My personal growth is measurable in the friends I’ve made along the way.
Groups can also correct long-term behaviors that can be harmful to our health. Learning and listening to other survivors can be a living resource. Relaying our experiences is not competition but compassionate release of emotions only a select few will understand.
As a Survivor, groups have given me a schedule for healing spaces. This is a good way to supplement therapy too. In between sessions I welcome meetings as a way to check-in with my body and mind. For example, I enjoy my survivor organization because there is a meeting everyday and two on Saturdays. The schedule gives me a lot of comfort and safety that there are spacesfor me if I need them.
Peer-led groups can be a haven for survivors. It has been a place for me to heal and also be of service to the group. The rewards are huge. I have better sleep, less anxiety, and have honed my communication skills. Most important of all, I have learned to communicate my feelings clearly and without psychoanalysis. Just acceptance and sometimes grief. My relationships outside the group have also benefited. I’m more concise and to the point about my emotions.
Some groups are based in psychology and some are faith-based. I participate in a 21 step group that is based in psychology, founded by a doctor in California. There are many options for people to explore. If you don’t think you are ready for a group, get your feet wet with a podcast. Many groups have other media you can consume on your own.
Support groups encourage tough conversations and close-knit bonds. They are places that are judgment-free and welcoming. I would push anyone who is looking on the edge to take the plunge into local and online groups. In-person groups can be found on church bulletin boards or online. Often online meetings use Meetup or Zoom. There are a plethora of groups focused on many different subjects. There is definitely one for you. There is obviously Alcoholics Anonymous, but also Overeaters Anonymous as well as Clutterers Anonymous and many more.
Choosing community over isolation is a healthy decision any way you look at it. A gentle place awaits you where people will be receptive and honest.
