Your People
People Circle: Surround yourself with people who have similar goals. First, make a list of everything that you want to achieve. Then, next to each achievement add the people &/or organizations who will give you inspiration. Prioritizing & defining desired goals will help build a supportive circle of people who will be with us during every challenge & celebration. Don’t leave it to chance. Let’s seek out people who will help us to reach our goals.
Art People: Whether you are a consumer or participant of art, seek out people &/or groups with the same interest. Museums, concerts, performances & galleries are fun to share with others. If you enjoy ‘doing’ art, take visual art/audio classes, attend figure drawing sessions, join a local theater group, dance at socials or audition for a band. For free or low-cost programs, explore community events, libraries, continuing education & YMCAs to meet the art people in your neighborhood. Connecting with art people will inspire you to do more & connect more. As a result, these connections will improve your social health.
Active People: If you want to be more active, find people who participate in the same sport, exercise or movement that you enjoy. Walkers, runners, cyclists, gym goers, dancers & athletes can all find a group or organization that will keep them active. And, don’t be shy. You can join any group as a newbie. Whether you participate on your own or whether you invite a family member or friend, just give it a try. Being active supports the health of our mind, body, spirit & social lives. Now, go out, play & have some fun.
Eating People: If you want to eat healthier, surround yourself with people who eat healthier than you. Ask for recipes, cook with them, select similar restaurant menu dishes & seek their support in improving your eating habits. Make eating healthier a learning experience. Keep conversations about food choices, body composition & eating habits positive. Food is a source of pleasure & enjoyment and it shouldn’t negatively impact our health or self-image. Whether you want to improve your activity level, muscle strength, body weight, mental outlook, connection to the earth, food costs or cultural experience, connect with healthy eaters and make every meal a learning experience to support your healthy eating goals.
Sort of Your People: If you have trouble finding your people, then pick an interest & seek out people, groups & organizations that are similar. For example, if you like tennis & can’t find an easy or affordable place to play, be open to trying ping-pong, pickle ball, paddle ball, racket ball, badminton, squash, beach tennis, etc. You get the idea. And, remember that you don’t have to commit forever. Just keep your eyes open & seek out people with similar interests. Let the feeling of fun guide you as you find your people.
Not Your People: If the people around you are holding you back from pursing your interests & goals, you need to know that these people are not ‘your people’. Roles & responsibilities may keep you connected to them, but because of their current mindset, they are unable to provide you with the support, accountability & learning needed for your personal growth. However, please know that ‘your people’ still exist. Organizations, groups, community classes/workshops & social media sites, all have people who are ‘your people’. As you seek out ‘your people’, ask yourself how are you supporting others to achieve their interests & goals. We are all in this together. Let’s cheer each other on so that we can all live our healthiest & happiest lives, together.