What people really want
I have been experimenting with social media posts for a while. I have also been exploring a variety of ways to live a conscious life. As I shared this with my close-knit network, I gradually realised what stories attract people’s attention. I discovered what they actually want to see.
I got a bit obsessed with food in recent years. And eco stuff. And the meaning of life. That’s all good. I saw how lots of eyes were glancing at those interests. But a real conversation happened when I wrote about two things in recent days. It was a revelation. First, I hinted at the real emergency I ended up in during the last weekend. I responded to that experience with gratitude for the people and places that I could go to in a time of need. Then I eventually shared a goal. It wasn’t a flashback memory. It wasn’t a ‘wouldn’t it be nice.’ It was a real plan - to talk with a community. Folks noticed! I realised something. Although we all want to feel healthy and maybe find a spiritual purpose, we all want to overcome bad days and really communicate with communities. We want to overcome together. That’s what people want. Surely this is a universal need for all ages. I realise some of my older networks were more relevant to other demographics. But I believe my generation needs to connect and overcome in unique ways.
What does ‘together’ look like? It’s different for everyone. I spent so many years trying to get that supportive togetherness from one individual - a family member or whoever. But that’s not fair on anyone. We all know it, deep down. To fully get through in this crazy world, we need people. Plural. Community. It takes a village to raise a kidult.
Where do we go with this revelation? I have been thinking about community for a while. Anyone can hop over to my personal Facebook profile and see my reminiscing of the old days in group events. I wanted something that gave that feeling but in a conscious way. When I was more connected with my old networks back in the day, I developed friendships with people who were there for each other when life got real. We showed up for the personal development. We stayed for the relationships. I know my generation needs that experience - regular gatherings with a village that raises each other. But we’re different. We juggle work and social lives in a strange post-pandemic economy. We look for meaning in spirituality. A calming trust in the forces that are greater than ourselves. We do our best to live healthy lifestyles because we want to avoid the diseases that dominate in society. Most importantly, we feel busy and nonetheless want to be there for you when the rain starts to fall. But not in form that involves sitting on a lounge with coffee so much of the time (it’s one big Friends reference). Gen Y is smart, striving and special. I believe we can do even more by connecting together.
In what form will this manifest? We honestly share our realities in an optimistic way. We check on each other. Here’s the thing. I thoroughly believe we all need to see each other. Bounce ideas. Motivate. Share a meal? I believe there is a beautiful overlap between the motivational leaders, the plant based foodies, the eco minimalists and any other conscious cultures. We all believe the world can get better than it is. If you believe we can overcome even more through conversation and community, please reach out and let me know. I want to do something with this wild idea. Let’s see what happens.
MSW
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