I had never felt more disconnected. It was my first day of class as a Junior at my new school. I hadn’t been in a brick-and-mortar school for 6 months. Everyone was required to sit 6 feet apart. All assignments were switched from lectures and activities to watching videos online with headphones. Everyone was wearing masks to protect themselves and each other from contracting a virus. All clubs were canceled until further notice. Even lunch moved from the cafeteria to socially-distanced classrooms.
In 2020, this was my reality. My “solution” was to tell my guidance counselor that I needed to either graduate early or drop out. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do; all I knew was that I couldn’t continue the life I was living and that my situation was not sustainable for me. Luckily, I was able to take my last required course during the summer and graduate in July 2021. However, the next two years weren’t any less lonely than the previous year. Although social distancing and mask mandates were lifted, the commuter-based technical college I went to lacked clubs and community engagement. For the five semesters that I attended, I barely experienced any human interaction. However, I adapted, and decided that I didn’t need community– I would be happier in solitude.
Upon graduation in May 2023, it was time to decide whether I would continue my education or dive right into the workforce. Ultimately, I decided to commit to the College of Charleston to study Arts Management & Anthropology. I received an email from the Cougar Activities Board announcing that they were hiring a Public Relations Coordinator, which was perfect considering I just graduated with an Associate’s in Graphic Design & Digital Communication. I accepted the position having no idea what to expect or where this opportunity would lead me.
In “The Heart of Sustainability”, Andres R. Edwards introduces the three Es of Sustainability: Ecology, Economy, and Equity, while also adding his own, Education, as well as the three Cs of sustainability: Consciousness, Creativity, and Compassion, again adding his own, Connection.
His additional “C”, connection, explains what I was missing in my life. Although I thought accepting a life of loneliness was the answer, working on a team, making new friends in Charleston, and planning events for student engagement made me feel more fulfilled and joyful than ever before. Community-building was an invaluable experience that taught me the importance of Connection.
Daily, I have the privilege of witnessing acts of connection on campus. I plan and coordinate events that give students access and space to connect with their community, dance, sing, create, and freely be themselves.
My “foreseeable future” shifted from isolation and settling for a life driven by my anxiety and depression to dreams and goals of creating opportunities for connection in my communities. Whether I end up working in the field of community outreach for the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs helping organizations and citizens connect at events or for Human Resources making employees feel welcome and appreciated in their work communities, I intend to use my experiences both struggling and succeeding in the realm of my social wellness to help others find this for themselves.
Now, I ask you, whether it is reaching out to a loved one, going to an event, or smiling at a stranger on the sidewalk, what can you do today to connect with your community?
No comments yet.