The Importance of Having a Tribe
I think one of the biggest lies of modern society is that we are more connected than ever.
If the internet has brought the world together, then why do so many people feel isolated? Yes, we have friends and family, but we often don’t connect with them in the way that we wish. This leaves us feeling alone, like we are in our own little bubble. This sense of loneliness has permeated our culture, making us desperate for human contact; to feel like we are part of something greater than ourselves.
Many, many years ago, human beings existed in smaller social groups. Rather than the millions of people that surround us today, we lived in smaller societies of hundreds. We knew everyone, and that closeness fostered a sense of community, a sense of belonging to the group. For the most part, we’ve lost this in modern society. It’s easy to feel like we’re just one in a countless sea of millions upon millions of people.
Thankfully, this social isolated in an age of supposed unparalleled connection does have a solution. You need to go out and find your tribe! But how will that help, you ask?
What is a Tribe?
Have you ever met someone and, within minutes, you feel like you’ve known them all your life? You simply feel a connection, something that is pulling the two of you together. Congratulations, because you may have just met a member of your tribe.
Simply put, a tribe is a group of people who are your people. They are on the same wavelength as you, sharing the same values and, often, goals. Your tribe is a group that will support you in your endeavors, just like you will assist them in theirs. To put it simply, they are your family, even if they aren’t related to you by blood.
Now, that isn’t to say that everyone in a tribe is the same. Like any group of people, there can be differences of opinion and points of view. You may have come from very different walks of life. You won’t all necessarily like the same things. But those differences are actually a good thing! Variety is the spice of life, and if everyone were the same, things would get boring fast.
In fact, having different points of view in your tribe can be a huge advantage. Members who have not had your particular life experience might be able to suggest ideas that you wouldn’t have considered by yourself.
So yes, this sounds nice, but is finding your tribe necessary? Absolutely. Being in a tribe can have a significant impact on your wellbeing, both mentally and physically.
What Are the Emotional Health Benefits?
Have you ever had a time when you were surrounded by people who inspired you? This could have been back when you were a child at camp, a student in school, or an adult in your first job. Wasn’t it just so much easier to get quality work done when you had that level of support and inspiration?
If you ever feel overwhelmed by life, it might be because you aren’t surrounding yourself with members of your tribe. Instead, you are just trying your best to cope when you are surrounded by people who aren’t on the same wavelength.
Sadly, this is the situation that most people find themselves in at their jobs. Even if they enjoy their work, they still feel isolated in their workplace, like they are outside looking in. This state of affairs can contribute to depression, exhaustion, and burn out.
This can change when you find the group of people you were meant to be with. Being a part of a tribe means that your mental and emotional wellbeing will be easier to maintain. The level of support that you get from your fellow tribe members can improve your self-confidence and drive. Even if you aren’t surrounded by your tribe at work, just knowing they are there when you get home can help improve your general mental wellbeing, assisting you in getting through the day.
What Are the Physical Health Benefits?
More and more, loneliness is being recognized as a legitimate health concern by medical professionals.
Medical science has realized that being part of a tribe, a community of people where you “belong,” can contribute to good physical health and wellbeing. People who live in tight-knit communities tend to live longer with fewer health issues than those who live isolated from their tribe.
One reason for this might have to do with stress. Stress is a major driver of many chronic physical conditions. If you have an ulcer, stress will likely make it act up. Headaches? Check the back of your neck to see how tight it is. Stress is one of those things that, if left unchecked, can negatively impact every single aspect of our lives.
Ah, but when you have your tribe around you, your stress response can be considerably reduced, leaving you with better health. Not only may chronic conditions improve thanks to your reduced stress level, but your fellow tribe members might also inspire you to get those little pains and aches you usually ignore checked out by a doctor or other medical professional. When you know that other people genuinely care about you, you actually take better care of yourself.
Finding Your Tribe
Funny enough, even though I was cursing the internet as the source of this isolation, it can also be the solution.
To find your tribe, you need to put yourself out there. You need to find people who you identify with. And one of the best ways is through a program like Time to Thrive.
In the Time to Thrive program, you will become part of a community who are looking for the same things you want. They are looking to take control of their lives and live up to their potential. They want to own their story and create a champion mindset. With their support, you will finally find the tribe you’ve been looking for: one that will support you in becoming the person you were always meant to be!
If you want in, it’s easy! Just visit this page to sign up. Or, if you’d like to learn a bit more about the program first, you can join my mailing list at the bottom of that page for a taste of what you can find in the Time to Thrive program!
