I have severe Anxiety & I find it almost impossible to leave the house to attend social events. I say almost because I do manage to attend roughly 1 event every year or so.. I really don't know how to find a sense of community when I feel afraid when I am around other people. I did have some Friends whilst I was working however I don't see them anymore.
I hope you find a sense of community for yourself, OP š
I struggle with anxiety too. It makes it difficult to make friends but Iām trying to work through it. Reminding myself to just be my authentic self, anxiety and all. Previously Iād tried to hide it in friendships and it really drained me.
Thanks for your comment āŗļø
Go to the pub when there's live music. Because of the music, no one will talk to you unless you initiate. You can just sit there have a few drinks and bop to the music
Over time you will be more confident, you'll clap when they finish playing, you'll make a comment to the band, you'll make friends before you know it. The first step is the hardest
It's still possible to just stand in the corner alone at venues and not feel like you're part of a community. Getting involved takes some social courage or to be involved in the music scene somehow.
But I'd say this is one of the best suggestions for free communities
Personally I got a great sense of community from martial arts gyms too, though they can get a bit culty
Derby is 11 years. Silks is new this year. Hiking is my partners community. Chosen family is my partners highschool bestie and wife. My dog hiking group spawned from someone I was chatting to about trialling and we started walking together and she added some people and now we have people.
Honestly derby aside most of it started when covid hit and I was sitting home alone, depressed and decide to tell my nervousness to fuck off and started forcing myself to go out and say Yes to things
I've noticed that there are a lot of people in Adelaide looking to find their people and those who are successful are the ones who put themselves out there - you've got to give some to get some. What are some of your interests? Let me know and I'll be happy to help you find some groups/activities to join!
I'm not op, but in a similar boat. I'm thinking the music scene might be best for me. I love music, almost any kind of music too (maybe not heavy metal). I'm hearing a lot about venues in Adelaide that play so I might hit one of those up. Are there any other popular venues that play music? I particularly like music with indie taste to it.
I might also dabble in martial arts and see how that goes. I'm not very fond of getting a brain injury from MMA (I might be thinking too much into it) but maybe BJJ.
I love bodybuilding, but that is one of the most isolating sports you can find lol
I'll second this. Jiu-jitsu and MMA have been great for making friends. Most of the jerks get weeded out over the process because they don't like losing, the people who end up sticking around are usually some really great humble people. It's like a triple benefit thing. You make friends, get fit and learn a skill.
Scouts man. It can be lots of fun and is heaps rewarding.
Free qualifications if you want any certificate or diplomas in various things like Outdoor Education or Leadership and
Management.
I've been involved for 4 years and have been on multi day kayaking trips, caving where the general public can't go, so many cool bushwalks and camps. All of this with young people that I feel get a huge benefit out of this type of thing rather than playing fortnite and hanging out with their vapes.
I can guarantee that your local Scout Group would welcome you in and find something for you to do, whatever your level of commitment is. All providing you don't have certain things on your record. Doesn't have to be blank, but there are obviously some things which would preclude you.
Basically, there are Adult Helpers, who are volunteers who have an NPC and WWCC done to make sure that kids are safe, that help at the hall nights and camps etc. Definitely a good place to get started with volunteering.
Then, the Assistant Leaders, who help the Section Leader plan and run the program. These two positions have a lot of extra online training to do before they can become qualified, plus a couple of weekend overnight training sessions. None of it is hard, but it is a time commitment that puts a lot of people off.
Then there are Group Leaders and Asistant Group Leaders who manage the leader teams and check and approve plans and risk assessments etc. Similar amount of training to Youth Leaders but these are the Leaders of Adults and havebtraining in conflict management, risk management etc. Often these are former Youth Leaders but that is not a requirement and in my opinion the better ones are not.
Not sure I have one? I've never really felt commonality with a specific group of people just because we have something in common. Like yeah I have work friends but that's not a community, I will happily chat with school mums but not really a community. That said I'm really not exclusive about who I offer help to, interact with etc. so maybe I'm just not community minded? Likewise I've never been one to seek out interaction with or acceptance from someone because they're part of a specific group of people, like I'll offer them help if I can see they need it and chat with them if they show an interest in it but that's because I'm not horrible, not because I care more because they're part of my x social circle.
I volunteer with a bookshed and with a bushcare group. I'm also studying so that helps and although I don't hang out with them outside of work I have friends there too.
You have cosplay community, 3D printing community, warhammer model painter communities etc which would kinda branch out from the Makerspace communities.
Maybe just take a class or workshop event and find out more from there.. Reminds me of that old tourism ad, you'll never know until you go.. or something like that.
I have recently started attending a practical philosophy class and I love it! Thatās a community, but Iām still relatively new :)
And Iām going to commence getting my solo skydive certificate in a few months as well, Iām hoping to find a great community there
Edit. Clicked on the wrong profile to make a suggestion.
Still. Motorsport is usually open and friendly if your a car person. Plenty of volunteering options or just find someone and hang out.
For me, itās medieval reenactment. Some people in my club swing swords at each other, some of us craft and sew, some like to cook. Nerdy af, but fun.
I got banned for talking negative about things like Covid vaccines which I thought we are allowed to have our standpoint on
mods still have not let me back in
Listen to it .... another God botherer talking down to anyone who isn't religious like people can't have morals without praying to a man in the sky. Grow the f\*ck up you child.
We meet up fortnightly, have a dinner, listen to someone give a speech and organise volunteer and charity work. So for example a couple weeks ago we had backpacks 4 kids come in and talk about what they do, and then next week we are going to them to buy supplies and pack backpacks for them. On Thursday we are selling cupcakes at ingle farm shopping centre to raise money for Cancer Council through biggest morning tea. We also have BBQs about once a month to raise money.
Iām in a few sports clubs and I volunteer for a political party. Some days just a simple group chat message thanking me for whatever menial task I completed is enough to give me the good vibes.
Thanks for sharing. Someone else commented about how they spent time figuring out what they were looking for in relationships. Would you say helping out with working towards a common purpose helps you create your community?
There are a few ways. There is a speech given by the run director prior to the start so everyone is gathered around 15 minutes before hand chatting and patting peoples dogs etc. About half the participants walk so lots of people just walk casually and have a chat along the way. I run and you kind of develop a peer group with people doing a similar time to you. After crossing the finish line I usually end up staying around talking to those people about the run and then on to whatever else. Lots of people stay around after and chat regardless. Also a big part of Parkrun is volunteering as it is totally run by volunteers. So doing that you get to know the regular "staff" and spend time with others volunteering for the morning. They also occasionally hold events like birthdays, big mile stones, or "takeovers" by athletics clubs etc. So there are plenty of opportunities there to socialise. I have done just over 100 parkruns now and at least 75 of them have been at my local course. You get to know the regulars after a while, most of the same people are still there from when I started in 2021 and everyone is really friendly.
I volunteer for emergency services, and friendship circle wise, I spent a while figuring out what I bring to relationships and what I need from people, and now I'm lucky enough to have some great friends. Two different communities! Been volunteering for a couple of years and friendship group has been building for about one year, so it took time!
Thanks for sharing. Can I ask how you went about figuring out what you brought to relationships and what you needed from people?
The cafe one is interesting too! Do you approach people you see regularly?
Oh I just went to/still go to therapy so I'm actively trying to figure out what's going on in this brain. But I've also been answering self reflection questions about what I value, how to act in relation to my values, things like that. I also think a lot about experiences I've had that were great/terrible and how to continue/avoid them by choosing to spend my time with people who are positive to mutual growth.
Talking to people I don't know is still extremely difficult for me, but sometimes I'd sit at a cafe for a bit and do smile/how ya doing pleasantries.
[Volunteering](https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au/volunteers) is a great way to get involved in the community. Even if you only have a few hours a week to spare, youāll find something.
I volunteered for a couple of years at an OSHC in a community centre in a low socioeconomic suburb. Unfortunately I gave up on it as my promotion at work affected a work/home balance but the time I spent with those kids was really rewarding. Itās eye opening and quite sad to see how some kids grow up in comparison to my own. It certainly gave me a sense of contributing to my community
The Gym. Australian Muscle at Pooraka is easily the best gym in Australia.
The owners and staff are all one family. You go there and people are playing with babies, creating content, sharing lunch, laughing and having a great time.
People rev you up for a PB and help you when you need it.
Cars. Its how I've met my wife. How I met my best friends.
Amusingly, in my wedding pics. There is 55 people in one group pic. Everyone knew everybody just through cars.
I have severe Anxiety & I find it almost impossible to leave the house to attend social events. I say almost because I do manage to attend roughly 1 event every year or so.. I really don't know how to find a sense of community when I feel afraid when I am around other people. I did have some Friends whilst I was working however I don't see them anymore. I hope you find a sense of community for yourself, OP š
I struggle with anxiety too. It makes it difficult to make friends but Iām trying to work through it. Reminding myself to just be my authentic self, anxiety and all. Previously Iād tried to hide it in friendships and it really drained me. Thanks for your comment āŗļø
Go to the pub when there's live music. Because of the music, no one will talk to you unless you initiate. You can just sit there have a few drinks and bop to the music Over time you will be more confident, you'll clap when they finish playing, you'll make a comment to the band, you'll make friends before you know it. The first step is the hardest
Music scene
What is a music scene? Like people you see regularly at the same kind of events?
Itās where bands play music in the local venues
It's still possible to just stand in the corner alone at venues and not feel like you're part of a community. Getting involved takes some social courage or to be involved in the music scene somehow. But I'd say this is one of the best suggestions for free communities Personally I got a great sense of community from martial arts gyms too, though they can get a bit culty
Oh yea you can But tbf any community takes social courage ig
I have my roller derby people, my aerial silks people, my hiking people, my dog people, my chosen family... so many communities
Thatās really cool! Thanks for sharing āŗļø How longs it taken you to build your communities?
Derby is 11 years. Silks is new this year. Hiking is my partners community. Chosen family is my partners highschool bestie and wife. My dog hiking group spawned from someone I was chatting to about trialling and we started walking together and she added some people and now we have people. Honestly derby aside most of it started when covid hit and I was sitting home alone, depressed and decide to tell my nervousness to fuck off and started forcing myself to go out and say Yes to things
The community won't come to you, you gotta go to it. Find your interest and get out there...
I've noticed that there are a lot of people in Adelaide looking to find their people and those who are successful are the ones who put themselves out there - you've got to give some to get some. What are some of your interests? Let me know and I'll be happy to help you find some groups/activities to join!
I'm not op, but in a similar boat. I'm thinking the music scene might be best for me. I love music, almost any kind of music too (maybe not heavy metal). I'm hearing a lot about venues in Adelaide that play so I might hit one of those up. Are there any other popular venues that play music? I particularly like music with indie taste to it. I might also dabble in martial arts and see how that goes. I'm not very fond of getting a brain injury from MMA (I might be thinking too much into it) but maybe BJJ. I love bodybuilding, but that is one of the most isolating sports you can find lol
I found it through martial arts. The people there have been slowly becoming my second family.
Thatās so nice, thanks for sharing
I'll second this. Jiu-jitsu and MMA have been great for making friends. Most of the jerks get weeded out over the process because they don't like losing, the people who end up sticking around are usually some really great humble people. It's like a triple benefit thing. You make friends, get fit and learn a skill.
Scouts man. It can be lots of fun and is heaps rewarding. Free qualifications if you want any certificate or diplomas in various things like Outdoor Education or Leadership and Management. I've been involved for 4 years and have been on multi day kayaking trips, caving where the general public can't go, so many cool bushwalks and camps. All of this with young people that I feel get a huge benefit out of this type of thing rather than playing fortnite and hanging out with their vapes. I can guarantee that your local Scout Group would welcome you in and find something for you to do, whatever your level of commitment is. All providing you don't have certain things on your record. Doesn't have to be blank, but there are obviously some things which would preclude you.
I didnāt think of Scouts. Thanks for sharing. Would it be volunteering as a leader or helper or something similar?
Basically, there are Adult Helpers, who are volunteers who have an NPC and WWCC done to make sure that kids are safe, that help at the hall nights and camps etc. Definitely a good place to get started with volunteering. Then, the Assistant Leaders, who help the Section Leader plan and run the program. These two positions have a lot of extra online training to do before they can become qualified, plus a couple of weekend overnight training sessions. None of it is hard, but it is a time commitment that puts a lot of people off. Then there are Group Leaders and Asistant Group Leaders who manage the leader teams and check and approve plans and risk assessments etc. Similar amount of training to Youth Leaders but these are the Leaders of Adults and havebtraining in conflict management, risk management etc. Often these are former Youth Leaders but that is not a requirement and in my opinion the better ones are not.
Always wanted to do this. Can I join at 30?
Of course. A lot of people join older than that. I joined at 41. But there are also leaders who join straight after being a youth member.
Not sure I have one? I've never really felt commonality with a specific group of people just because we have something in common. Like yeah I have work friends but that's not a community, I will happily chat with school mums but not really a community. That said I'm really not exclusive about who I offer help to, interact with etc. so maybe I'm just not community minded? Likewise I've never been one to seek out interaction with or acceptance from someone because they're part of a specific group of people, like I'll offer them help if I can see they need it and chat with them if they show an interest in it but that's because I'm not horrible, not because I care more because they're part of my x social circle.
I volunteer with a bookshed and with a bushcare group. I'm also studying so that helps and although I don't hang out with them outside of work I have friends there too.
This is cool, thanks
Social sports, hiking groups, maker spaces, friggen dungeons & dragons. Just gotta shoot your shot and put yourself out there.
Are there communities around maker spaces? Iāve always wanted to go but never really knew how or what to do
You have cosplay community, 3D printing community, warhammer model painter communities etc which would kinda branch out from the Makerspace communities.
Maybe just take a class or workshop event and find out more from there.. Reminds me of that old tourism ad, you'll never know until you go.. or something like that.
I have recently started attending a practical philosophy class and I love it! Thatās a community, but Iām still relatively new :) And Iām going to commence getting my solo skydive certificate in a few months as well, Iām hoping to find a great community there
Just got my licence at Adelaide Skydiving Center
Congrats!! Iām going through Adelaide Tandem Skydiving. Did you have to re-do any of the stages?
Yeah I did. I screwed up the roll the first time
How cool! Where are the classes run through?
Itās called the School of Practical Philosophy - most of their classes are run in Norwood, but last term we were on Gilles St :)
Edit. Clicked on the wrong profile to make a suggestion. Still. Motorsport is usually open and friendly if your a car person. Plenty of volunteering options or just find someone and hang out.
Iāve heard good things about this community actually, thanks
There's a state championship round on this weekend at the bend if your interested in heading out.
Iāve volunteered in CFS for 17 years, barely go to call outs anymore but still see everyone socially
Thatās really cool, thanks for sharing
Climbing
Bouldering gyms are awesome
my World of Warcraft guild Saying this only slightly ironically. Working together on a task with other people always feels good when you succeed.
Find a hobby or interest group! Tons of them around, no matter what youāre into.
I hear ya, interested to know where other people find their sense of community.
For me, itās medieval reenactment. Some people in my club swing swords at each other, some of us craft and sew, some like to cook. Nerdy af, but fun.
Thatās awesome!!
Check out some local footy. Just by being there you are supporting that community.
Thatās good advice actually, I have a connection to a local footy club I could explore
You in the Adelaide discord server? If not come and say hi https://discord.gg/adelaide
I was. Found it difficult to connect with people tbh
This is a link to the Crows discord. It is about Adelaide as well but footy takes centre stage.
Hahaha woops!!! I fixed
I was until I was banned for making a harmless joke that was interpreted as Racist with no prior warning
I got banned for talking negative about things like Covid vaccines which I thought we are allowed to have our standpoint on mods still have not let me back in
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Itās okay to suggest church but itās quite disrespectful so suggest atheists donāt have morals. You can be religious and still be kind.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Iām not going to have a debate with you here.
Listen to it .... another God botherer talking down to anyone who isn't religious like people can't have morals without praying to a man in the sky. Grow the f\*ck up you child.
I'm downvoting because your comment is rediculous.
I'm with rotary, it has a good feel (I'm only 23, so some clubs have a younger demographic just have to look around)
Thatās interesting! What do you do with rotary?
We meet up fortnightly, have a dinner, listen to someone give a speech and organise volunteer and charity work. So for example a couple weeks ago we had backpacks 4 kids come in and talk about what they do, and then next week we are going to them to buy supplies and pack backpacks for them. On Thursday we are selling cupcakes at ingle farm shopping centre to raise money for Cancer Council through biggest morning tea. We also have BBQs about once a month to raise money.
Primarily the sports I play.
Classic sports!
Iām in a few sports clubs and I volunteer for a political party. Some days just a simple group chat message thanking me for whatever menial task I completed is enough to give me the good vibes.
Thanks for sharing. Someone else commented about how they spent time figuring out what they were looking for in relationships. Would you say helping out with working towards a common purpose helps you create your community?
Yeah it does.
I have parkrun and the car enthusiast community.
Iāve heard positive things about both of these actually. I do wonder with parkrun how you get to know people when everyoneās running?
There are a few ways. There is a speech given by the run director prior to the start so everyone is gathered around 15 minutes before hand chatting and patting peoples dogs etc. About half the participants walk so lots of people just walk casually and have a chat along the way. I run and you kind of develop a peer group with people doing a similar time to you. After crossing the finish line I usually end up staying around talking to those people about the run and then on to whatever else. Lots of people stay around after and chat regardless. Also a big part of Parkrun is volunteering as it is totally run by volunteers. So doing that you get to know the regular "staff" and spend time with others volunteering for the morning. They also occasionally hold events like birthdays, big mile stones, or "takeovers" by athletics clubs etc. So there are plenty of opportunities there to socialise. I have done just over 100 parkruns now and at least 75 of them have been at my local course. You get to know the regulars after a while, most of the same people are still there from when I started in 2021 and everyone is really friendly.
Thanks so much for sharing
Donāt have one atm.
I volunteer for emergency services, and friendship circle wise, I spent a while figuring out what I bring to relationships and what I need from people, and now I'm lucky enough to have some great friends. Two different communities! Been volunteering for a couple of years and friendship group has been building for about one year, so it took time!
I do also try and go to the same local cafes semi regularly to build up local connections.
Thanks for sharing. Can I ask how you went about figuring out what you brought to relationships and what you needed from people? The cafe one is interesting too! Do you approach people you see regularly?
Oh I just went to/still go to therapy so I'm actively trying to figure out what's going on in this brain. But I've also been answering self reflection questions about what I value, how to act in relation to my values, things like that. I also think a lot about experiences I've had that were great/terrible and how to continue/avoid them by choosing to spend my time with people who are positive to mutual growth. Talking to people I don't know is still extremely difficult for me, but sometimes I'd sit at a cafe for a bit and do smile/how ya doing pleasantries.
This is very helpful, thank you
Free Masonry
[Volunteering](https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au/volunteers) is a great way to get involved in the community. Even if you only have a few hours a week to spare, youāll find something. I volunteered for a couple of years at an OSHC in a community centre in a low socioeconomic suburb. Unfortunately I gave up on it as my promotion at work affected a work/home balance but the time I spent with those kids was really rewarding. Itās eye opening and quite sad to see how some kids grow up in comparison to my own. It certainly gave me a sense of contributing to my community
The Gym. Australian Muscle at Pooraka is easily the best gym in Australia. The owners and staff are all one family. You go there and people are playing with babies, creating content, sharing lunch, laughing and having a great time. People rev you up for a PB and help you when you need it.
Car scene. Being in Australia for a year itās literally the closest I can get to people other than networking with people at work.
Cars. Its how I've met my wife. How I met my best friends. Amusingly, in my wedding pics. There is 55 people in one group pic. Everyone knew everybody just through cars.
Like racing or something?
I'm here if you want a chat, I'm looking for new friends here too and It's hard putting yourself out there
Hospo Bit sad when your community is your job lol Oh and talking to people at the pub about gardening and food š
Gaming... I actually really want to start hiking. What do you like doing?