Do you know those shows where everyone in the small town knows each other? I’m talking Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls type of close; where you can’t grab coffee without running into three people who know your work place, your grandma, and your favorite muffin order.

There’s something about that kind of community that just feels right. Everyone deserves valuable relationships, and not just with one person. The best kind of value comes from being part of a strong, connected community.

Find your group of people, like those who:

💜 Share similar goals

💜 Live in your neighborhood or go to the same events

💜 Are working toward the same creative dreams or career path

💜 Believe in similar values and ways of living

Having people who get you sets the tone. You already have something in common, that’s step one. Now, it’s time to grow together. Let’s talk about four simple steps that make a strong community.

I’ve noticed when I walk into a room excited and open, people match that energy back. But when I’m tired, distracted, or closed off, the whole vibe changes.

Think about it; when people start gossiping, they’re usually having fun in the moment, right? But what we don’t always realize is how that energy shifts the room. Suddenly people start watching what they say, the mood feels heavier, and the space just isn’t as safe anymore.

Now compare that to when someone walks in with a smile, giving compliments, or sharing something good that happened to them. That kind of energy changes everything. People loosen up, start laughing, and actually enjoy being around each other. You can feel the difference.

That’s what positive community energy looks like. It’s not about pretending to be happy all the time, it’s about choosing to be the type of person who lifts the mood.

Try being a quiet leader. Even if you’re not the loudest voice in the room, you can be the one who leads by example, the one who smiles, who helps, who shows up. That’s the foundation of a community people actually want to be part of.

The best sports teams stretch together, in sync, matching warm-up outfits and all.

The best churches serve their neighborhoods as a unit, not just the pastor or volunteers, but everyone.

And the best events? They’re built by teams that trust one another and know how to mix their different strengths

Working as a team in a community is how you succeed, grow, and actually accomplish your mission. But it only works when everyone feels seen and heard.

A working team:

💜 Is patient with each other

💜 Has clear, open communication

💜 Knows how to blend everyone’s ideas

When people respect each other’s roles, it builds true connection. That’s what community is all about.

It’s easy to say you’ll show up for yourself, but it hits different when other people are counting on you.

When someone checks in on your progress; that project you’ve been working on, the class you said you’d take, or even the project you’ve been putting off, it lights a fire under you.

Accountability doesn’t just push you; it connects you. It builds trust within the community because everyone’s holding each other up, not waiting for one person to do all the work.

The best ways to hold yourself accountable:

💜 Find an accountability partner

💜 Join an accountability group or community

💜 Work with a mentor

💜 Schedule monthly or quarterly check-ins

When you treat accountability like teamwork, it feels less like pressure and more like shared motivation.

You shouldn’t be showing up for everyone else and walking away feeling empty. When I realized that, it honestly changed how I looked at “community.”

I’ve been in spaces where I was always the one encouraging, listening, or helping, and it felt good for a while… until it didn’t. Because at some point, you start to notice when you’re the only one pouring into others but nobody’s pouring back into you. That’s not balance, that’s burnout.

A healthy community fills everyone’s cup. Mentors should feel appreciated. Students should feel seen. Friends should feel heard. Nobody should leave feeling like they gave more than they received.

You should be able to walk away from your group feeling inspired, supported, and valued. If not, something’s missing.

A strong community isn’t built overnight. It’s built moment by moment, through trust, energy, teamwork, accountability, and mutual value.

If you take one thing from this, let it be this: people need people.

You can’t build your dream, grow creatively, or stay inspired alone. So, find your people. Be the one who shows up. And watch how everything starts to shift for the better.

Before you scroll away, take a second to text or message one person you appreciate in your circle, someone who’s kept you accountable, inspired you, or made you laugh when you needed it. Tell them thank you.

That small act of gratitude is how strong communities start, one real connection at a time.

And if you ever wonder how community can push you toward your goals, just know it’s the same kind of support that helped me bring my first children’s book, The Ballerina who wore Blue, to life. Surround yourself with good people, and big dreams stop feeling so far away.