These are all things you already know or have done before. But a great refresher as the Winter thaws and the Spring emerges.

1.

The group chat that actually gets used. Not the one that's been silent since 2022. A real one. Start it, name it something ridiculous, and commit to checking in. Not to share memes only. To actually ask "how are you" and mean it and wait for the answer. And most group chats have video/facetime type of capability. Talk about what's going on, new things you learned. Have a facts evening or a poetry reading. I don't know, you know your friends, I don't.

2.

The potluck. The original community technology. Everyone brings something, no one person carries everything, the table is always full enough. If you can't bring food, bring yourself. That counts. You can even go as far as a community cook night and bring all that you have in your fridge, cook communal foods and bring those home for the week. Meal planning/prepping together and supporting each other's bellies being full and hearts being full.

3.

The walk. Invite someone to walk with you. No agenda. Two people moving through the world together, which is one of the oldest forms of connection that exists. If you want to make it fun, have conversations or go out looking for different leaves, signs, take a look at the architecture of houses, take a look around you and explore the world where yo ulive.

4.

The movie night at home. Someone's couch, a pulled-together snack spread, an argument about what to watch that takes 40 minutes and is actually the most fun part. Then veg. Entertain each other? nah, do what ever and enjoy.

5.

The skill swap. You know how to do something someone else doesn't. They know something you don't. Teach each other. Trade. No payment required AND things get finished OR you learn something new. You and your friends are intelligent and wild beyond measure. There are definitely cool things they can learn from you and you from them.

6.

The phone call. Not a voice note. An actual call where you both have to be present at the same time. It feels scary because we've forgotten how, but it is one of the most intimate things you can do for a friendship. Ask them questions beyond how are you, maybe there into something new or are exploring something. Gossip does not need to be the glue that keeps your friendships together. Or communal hatred of someone, that shits fucking draining.

7.

The neighbourhood thing. A porch sit. A wave that turns into a conversation. Introducing yourself to the person three doors down. Local community is underrated and underused. It's right outside your door. Have a neighbourhood game night, swap stories, swap books, cook for each other, help each other out with yardwork. HELL, just sit out in the driveway and watch the cars drive by.

8.

The book, show, podcast circle. Pick the same thing. Consume it separately. Come back together to talk about it. The talking is the point. The shared experience of sitting with something and then bringing it back to each other is genuinely nourishing.

9.

The care check-in. Pick two or three people and commit to checking in on them once a week for a month. A text. A voice note. A dropped-off coffee. Not as a grand gesture. As a practice. Watch what happens. Sometimes we need a reminder with the way our brains are wired using technology and also if you have object inpermanence.

10.

The free public thing. Most cities, towns, and communities have free events, parks, trails, markets, outdoor concerts, library programming. Go together. Bring whoever will come. The point is the together, not the event. I went to french conversation on Monday and sometimes I listen to local music at the library. And when I can I visit the museums whom offer free Museum nights on Thursdays. And I go with friends since learning about it. Sometimes I just go to the library and sit in some of the chat circles and learn about new books and stories that are enriching. AND A PARK!? The snow is melting, sitting at a bench and just chilling, reading with friends. That's an amazing time.

It doesn't have to be a lot to be community.
And community doesn't have to be a synonym for commodity.