In Community #10: New Year, New Meets

We did it! We made it through another year and over to the other side.

Do you feel that? That mix of excitement and mild anxiety that seems to sum up the first week back at work after the holidays. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely glad to see the week come to a wrap, before gearing up for a big year to come.

In the last newsletter of 2023, I called out some bright spots as we closed out an otherwise rocky year, which continues the trend we’ve seen (and deeply felt) over the last few years.

Today, I’m kicking off 2024 with a refreshed energy and rather than making new year’s resolutions, I’m looking at more of a new year’s evolution. What did I start in the last few months that I want to dial up this year? What did I learn about myself that can help me be stronger, wiser, and maybe a little less stressed in the process?

For one thing, I was reminded of the power of my people. I mean that in the broadest sense, but also in how I define my community – the people around me who encourage me to keep going.

I’ve talked about what community means to me before. But as I get older (it’s coming at me fast!), I’ve realized that keeping that community going strong can’t happen without effort.

What I’m getting at is that there’s no better time than now to reinvest in nurturing and growing your community. 

How are you staying connected to the people in your broader circle? How are you seeking out new people with shared values who can push you and challenge you to grow – especially knowing that growth may come with discomfort at first? Use this time to answer these questions. Use it to reach out to the people with whom it’s been a minute.

After all, there’s no community without “u” and “i”. (Yep, I’m going to be that cheesy about it.)

💥 ICYMI: You can now SPILL all the tea on Android

💥 Break the ice and expand your community all year long

💥 Meet the BIPOC founders taking part in Sephora's 2024 Accelerate Program 

In community,

Fahad