Finding an intentional community that’s a fit for you is a multistep process.
The first step is to get a clear idea of what you want to find.
Do you envision a group of back-to-the-landers enjoying the simple life with home-grown food and fresh air? Or are you looking to join a collective of urban activists striving to make the world a better place? Or how about a quiet neighborhood of caring friends and families where you can share in meals, games, and thoughtful conversation?
Much of the process of finding a community involves finding out about yourself.
What’s important to you and how would those values be reflected in your ideal community?
Feel free to write, draw, or muse with a friend on your answer to that question. It’s key to getting to where you want to go.
As an additional step, start crafting Your Community Wishlist to fine-tune your community vision.
This will serve as your personal compass as you go on to navigate the search process.
Whatever your community vision, getting clarity on exactly what you want will aid you tremendously later on. No guarantees that your exact vision exists! But at least you will know where the gaps are and where you have the willingness to compromise.
What’s inside the wishlist worksheet?
When you download the worksheet you’ll get access to a document you can either complete online or print out. Within the document you will find:
- 10 key questions to help you clarify your community vision, including the location, culture, design, and functions of your dream intentional community.
- A guide to create a Top 10 Wishlist and Top 10 Avoid List for elements you both want and don’t want in community, indicating those that are non-negotiable verses those elements you are flexible on.
Your Wishlist is a living document that can change over time as you visit communities and learn more about your needs.
Making and Breaking the Community Wishlist
Since its creation, the Community Wishlist has empowered seekers around the country and beyond to go to communities with a clear set of needs in mind.
However, please remember…
Community is not a list of items on your shopping list!
You Wishlist a reference tool, but not a set of demands. And if you hold onto your list too tightly you may miss the greatest power of community — it’s ability to change YOU. To grow you as a more flexible, capable person, someone who can contribute to a community in the ways it may be missing, to fill out the edges and gaps with your gifts.
Communities can surprise us in wonderful ways, and sometimes what we end up loving the most is something we never even thought of!
Your journey into intentional community
The Community Wishlist is just one of many resources that can support your journey into intentional community. To access even more resources as well as support from community experts and fellow seekers, consider joining the Community Finders Circle.
Finding community can be very exciting… and very stressful!
The move into communal life can be a big life transition. It may involve:
- selling your current home
- hitting the road for weeks or months
- changing careers or retiring
- figuring out cooperative living skills
- navigating all new relationships
The Finders Circle is designed to maximize your confidence and minimize your stress. You’ll have a team of people supporting you to get into a community that’s the closest to your ideal as possible. There are weekly activities to keep you on track with your goals, group calls, sessions with community leaders, templates, guides, and more.
Join on a month by month basis that works with your schedule.
Ready to get serious about your community search? Come join!
Be in touch with questions about the program or the one-to-one matchmaking service.
Have you created your community resume?
Was it a helpful process? What suggestions do you have for others when creating their lists? Can you share more? Post a link to your list in the comments below!
Community Wishlist
Get the worksheet to help you find a community that’s a fit for your needs.
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