Obviously this is a broad and controversial topic (especially since I’m asking about both on and offline) but as individualism and isolationism seems to be increasing in the western world, I’m wondering what can be done and what others have done to counteract this trend.
Edit: Obviously, there’s broad things like participating in hobby groups or being nice to neighbours, but I’m especially interested in discussion of specifics, such as ways to set up these groups, organisational structures, or ways to expand connections from a hobby group beyond just the hobby.
I remember reading an article years ago, where a young couple had moved into a newly built community. As they settled in, they realized they had projects around the house that weren’t overly skilled but would benefit from additional hands. They got together with several of their neighbors who had similar issues.
Once a month, they descended on one house. The owner had a list of projects - empty the attic, clean out the shed, paint the living room, whatever they needed help with. Everyone would divvy up the work; the owner provided food and drink throughout the day, and at the end, everyone relaxed together. Then the next month, they’d descend on the next person’s house.
The group ended up really bonding together. As they grew older, they helped each other get through illnesses, celebrate graduations and weddings, cope with grief, and stay in their houses. I’m sure it helped that it was a new neighborhood with a bunch of people likely seeking connections, but I’d love to see that kind of bond elsewhere.