Finding community (…and launching a new one!!)
If finding community feels hard lately, you’re not alone.
This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. We live in a world where community can feel like something we know exists but is unreachable to us. And if you’ve felt that, I want you to know—it’s not just you.
A lot has changed in recent decades that has contributed to community feeling further and further away from us…
People move more, often far from the family and friends they grew up with.
Technology keeps us glued to screens, working remotely, and scrolling endlessly.
Many people are seeking spirituality on their own instead of in a congregation.
Social media gives us quick, surface-level connections but can leave us feeling lonelier in the long run.
And those “third spaces”—coffee shops, parks, or community centers—where people used to gather, seem harder to come by.
Robert D. Putman’s book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, highlights many of these examples and goes on to cite the decrease of organized leagues, civic engagement and involvement in community organizations. In addition, research from Gallup in 2020 showed that for the first time in more than eight decades, less than half (47%) of U.S. adults reported belonging to a church, synagogue or mosque. Cultural shifts and generational shifts impact the focus on community.
Community isn’t one-size-fits-all either. Our needs for community evolve as we do.
Community isn’t one-size-fits-all either. Our needs for community evolve as we do.
In school or college, community comes naturally because you're surrounded by peers and contained within the same walls at the same stage of life. New parents might find it in playgroups. Some people stumble into it through sports teams or volunteer projects. But for others, especially as life becomes more complex, it’s not so simple.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found it harder to find the kind of community that feels like home where I can be fully “me” and bring the many hats I wear into the room.
I’m no stranger to community building. My career has revolved around it—working with business organizations to help people connect professionally. But personal connection? That feels like a whole different challenge.
As I continue to look for communities I might want to join, I cringe a little when I see communities marketed as “for like-minded people.” I get it—they’re saying, “We’re your people! Join us!” But here’s the thing: I don’t want to surround myself with people who are just like me. That’s what my Facebook algorithm is for.
Real connection thrives in diversity—in perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
What I’m looking for now is deeper: a life running buddy, someone who cheers me on when I’m thriving and stands by me when I’m not.
That’s not something you find at every networking event. I’ve been intentional about finding community this year, and have found amazing inspiration, friendship and support in communities such as Powerhouse Women, Illume Collective and Tarra.
Finding community at this stage means a lot of trial and error. Awkward coffee dates, trying new events, and hoping the connection you feel is mutual. Honestly, it can be exhausting. And it’d be easy to just give up.
But I won’t. Because I believe in the power of community—not just any community, but the kind that fuels you, grounds you, and reminds you of who you are.
That’s why I’m beyond excited to share something close to my heart: align society.
“align society is a community I’m launching in 2025 for ambitious women ready to grow their impact and live life on their terms alongside a personal support squad...”
align society is a community I’m launching in 2025 for ambitious women ready to grow their impact and live life on their terms alongside a personal support squad—cheering you on, showing up for you, and growing alongside you.
Recently, during a moon ceremony meditation, I visualized what this community would feel like. Here’s what came to me:
Honest
Reflective
Welcoming
Reliable
Supportive
Energizing
Calming
Open
Curious
Grounded in growth
A place that lifts you up and helps you come back to yourself
This vision gives me chills because it feels so real, so possible. And it’s not just my dream—it’s an invitation to anyone who’s been yearning for connection, for purpose, for a place to belong.
So if you’re tired of going it alone or feeling like you have to choose between ambition and alignment, I hope you’ll join me. Together, we can create something extraordinary—a ripple effect of support, growth, and possibility.
If you’re interested in building this community together, learn more at www.kellystevens.co/alignsociety.