6 Ways To Find A Sense Of Belongingness

Growing up, I spent most of my time playing with my cousins. Our families lived in one compound then, so we got to see and play with each other every day. But even when they moved out to their own houses eventually, I still hopped from one cousin to another, becoming the common playmate.

The summer days were long and nights were warm filled with memories, fun, adventures, comfort, and warmth. I was loved, greatly, but as a kid, I never really cared about love that much. I just lacked attention so I wanted it so bad.

The only feeling I remembered at the end of the day was never really knowing where to go, who to cry for, or who to have tantrums with.

Thank God I had a grandma ✝️ who loved me unconditionally, but her love was like a blanket that covered everyone. She loved all of us and I didn’t really like that I didn’t feel special lol

Having been abandoned and given away by my own mother when my father died months before I was born, I grappled with the very feeling that made me crave to belong to something. Anything.

Why is having a sense of belonging important?

I listened to a Google podcast last night when I was packing my stuff for my Cebu trip today and I learned that having a sense of belongingness creates a sense of purpose in life. The benefit of that is an extended happy and fulfilled life!

Not that I want to live for a long time, but the speakers noted that being a part of something; a community; a place makes you want to look forward to a lot of things.

According to Bard, a sense of belonging is said to be essential to our well-being. It helps us feel connected to others, supported, and less stressed. It also improves our mental and physical health and increases our happiness and satisfaction with life.

Here Are 6 Ways To Find A Sense Of Belongingness

Be Your Authentic Self

Don’t try to change yourself to fit in with others, but rather express your true personality, values, and opinions. This will help you attract people who appreciate you for who you are and share similar views.

Consider Your Living Situation

If you feel isolated or disconnected from your neighbors or roommates, try to reach out and initiate conversations or activities with them. You might find that you have more in common than you think.

Volunteer For A Cause That’s Close To Your Heart

Finding people that you share a purpose with is a great way to find a sense of belonging because when people are working towards the same goals, they often have more in common. If you’re not sure where to meet like-minded people, then you could start by volunteering for a cause close to your heart.

Share Your Passions And Interests

Whether it’s music, art, sports, books, or anything else that you enjoy, sharing your passions and interests with others can help you connect and bond over something that matters to you. You can join online or offline communities, clubs, or groups that cater to your hobbies and interests.

Get Involved In A Club

Joining a club is another way to meet new people who share your interests and have fun at the same time. You can look for clubs in your area or online that offer activities that you like or want to try. For example, you could join a book club, a hiking club, a chess club, a cooking club, or any club that you are interested in.

Practice An Attitude Of Acceptance

One of the barriers to finding a sense of belonging is feeling judged or rejected by others who are different from us. To overcome this, you need to practice an attitude of acceptance toward ourselves and others. This means acknowledging and respecting the diversity of opinions, beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles that exist in the world. It also means validating and empathizing with others’ feelings and experiences.

Finding a sense of belongingness is a common human need that can improve one’s motivation, health, and happiness. It can also help cope with loneliness and painful emotions. A sense of belongingness means feeling accepted and valued by a group or a community that shares some commonality with you.

Now that I am a complete adult, I never really cared much simply because I already know where I belong to, and the people I am comfortable with. Decades of discovering myself have led me to the people that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

But I hope these tips are helpful to you. Remember that finding a sense of belongingness is not always easy or quick, but it is possible and rewarding. However, easy or hard, always know that you are not alone in this journey. Just look around and reach out. 😊