My Biggest Challenge

Choosing Community Again

Lately, I’ve found myself pulling away from community. Not intentionally—but as a way to protect myself. I’ve told myself that others wouldn’t understand what I’ve been through, that it’s just easier to keep to myself. But deep down, I know that’s not the whole truth. The reality is, life without community isn’t healthy. And I’ve been living in a bubble I created to feel safe—a world that really only includes my husband and my best friend, if I’m being honest.

It worked for a while. It felt safer. But the longer I’ve stayed isolated, the more I’ve started to see what I’m missing.

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What Society Teaches Us

We live in a world that praises independence, strength, and self-reliance. From a young age, we’re told: “You don’t need anyone.” “You’re stronger on your own.” “Don’t trust too easily.” “Protect your peace.” The message is clear: life is about me, myself, and I.

If you want to succeed, society says you need to climb the ladder—and if that means stepping on people along the way, so be it. It’s survival. Hustle culture. Hyper-individualism. It sounds empowering… but is it actually good for us?

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What If We Did Life Differently?

What if we flipped the script? What if we stopped pretending to have it all together and took the walls down—the ones we built to protect ourselves, but that also keep people out?

What if we stopped striving to fit into a mold and just showed up as we are—imperfect, vulnerable, and real?

What if we embraced the idea that we were never meant to do life alone?

Because the truth is, we were created for connection. God designed us for community—not perfect community, but a messy, beautiful, and real kind of connection with others who are also doing their best to show up.

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The Lies We Believe

Growing up, I had this picture-perfect image of what life would look like. I’d grow up, get married, find my “knight in shining armor,” have kids, live in a house with a white picket fence, and everything would fall into place.

That dream felt safe. Familiar. Promised.

But life didn’t look like that. And when the dream started to fall apart, I started to believe that maybe the only person I could rely on… was me. Maybe no one else could truly understand. And slowly, without realizing it, I started cutting off the very thing I needed most: community.

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Why Community Matters

When I pull away from community, I lose more than just companionship.

I lose wisdom, because wisdom is found in the counsel of others.
I lose courage, because without people to remind me of who I am, fear takes over.
I lose safety, because isolation creates vulnerability in all the wrong ways.
I lose strength, because when I’m weak, I have no one to lean on.

Community isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s essential. It’s where we grow. Where we heal. Where we remember we’re not alone.

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Take the Challenge

So here’s the challenge—for me, and maybe for you too:

Where have I disconnected from community?
What walls have I built that are keeping people out?
And how can I start rebuilding the connections I need—not just for survival, but for a full, thriving life?

Maybe it starts with one honest conversation. One brave step toward someone. One choice to show up as you are.

I don’t have it all figured out—but I’m willing to try. Are you?