Introverted connections

As I am figuring out the kind of lifestyle I’d like to live, it seems to me more and more isolating. Just wondering if any folks on here seem to also have a lack of community? Has anyone been able to connect with others through certain programs, workshops, farmstays festivals etc. possibly over similar interest (permaculture, homesteading, building, herbal medicine, philosophy, music, art, or just general kindness and lack of being a dickhead)
Would definitely appreciate any feedback!

I’m located on the west coast!



Mars

I found it sometimes hard to step out of that introverted self isolation conundrum. Once your lifestyle solidifies your community/tribe will become more defined I'll bet and easier to find those of a like mind. Festivals and workshops certainly helped me network. Don't over analyze a Myers/Briggs intj or WTFamI classification. When I'm somewhere and I experience an extrovert talking too much I imagine what if I pinched their lips closed would they blow up?

Most of the west coast will have more opportunities than people inland. Even if you live somewhere remote  you can still probably drive an hour or less and meet likeminded people. Lots of people in the middle of the country can’t say that. Hell, they might have to drive a long time just meet…any people.

I used to live on the west coast. I went to a Chinese medicine school, which I dearly miss now. Such a comfortable group of people for me to be around. And one of the better times in my life regarding health. Personally, I get along with South Asian people really well(even though I’m not). I spent 3 years in India. I’ve managed to go to some Indian festivals here in Michigan for specific regional communities I have lived amongst and learned a bit of their languages.

Yoga classes have also been great, but I should point out that I often already had a connection with the teacher through a friend from the TCM school or the acupuncture business I worked at occasionally. So I didn’t have to start conversations to meet people.

That said, I haven’t been social since moving back to Michigan. I know there are cool places around, but my health issues have significantly interfered with my ability to socialize. I had to drop out of a rmh workshop recently. I also haven’t kept in touch with the hunters who so kindly trained me and helped me get my first deer a few years ago. I really, really have been wanting to go grouse hunting the past two seasons—which my mentor offered to teach me.

As for feeling like your place in society is as a loner, I've found that this feeling can change greatly depending on which society I’m a part of. I’m more comfortable, assertive, and outgoing in India(probably all of Asia). Your “place” or how society perceives you can vary greatly from culture to culture. Even city to city, town to town. I can relate. I often feel like I’d rather be single forever in Michigan. If I’m stuck here, I may be a hermit. If I go back to India, I can see myself with an Indian wife, kids, and being active in family life even when sick. This is why I’d like to live somewhere in Michigan near an Indian community.

It sounds like you already know what to do. You listed a lot of ways to meet people. Go for it. Life is short. It’s by experimenting with lots of groups that you find who you get along with. I had to live a bunch of places, meet a bunch of people, and have a bunch of health issues to realize who I am and who I get along with. Start the journey. For me it took while.

I can relate Marina...

I work with only one other co-worker, due to Federal Laws we are inside an unpopulated area that is gated completely off from the outside world, seldom get visitors, and at home have growing kids that do not need Daddy that is for sure...

But for me Permies Forum is where I reach out and get my sense of connection with people. It is easier at home where I can go on my laptop and write easier and have more access to pictures, but I do go online at work too on my phone and interact with this site there.

So its kind of a simple answer, but Permies Forum is ow I stay engaged with a changing world and its people.

Marina, welcome to the forum!

I found my community one day when I was trying to ID some plants.

A lot of "like-minded" folks. Or better said a lot of folks who like the same things I do.

This place is the permies forum.

I hope you will like it as much as I do.