Embracing Pride Month & making friends on the road
Happy June and a fabulous LGBTQ+ Pride Month to you! 🌈
As a proud ally, I’m so excited to kick off this colorful month celebrating love, diversity, and our ongoing journey towards equality.
When it comes to mental health within the LGBTQ+ community, here are 3 important things you should know:
LGBTQ+ folks are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health condition compared to our heterosexual pals.
Dealing with discrimination and stigma significantly ups the risk of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Acceptance and support from family, friends, and community can do wonders for the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. When we feel supported and accepted, we’re less likely to experience severe mental health issues and more likely to thrive. (Like, duh!)
We all deserve to feel supported and loved by the people in our lives.
If you’d like to support improving the wellbeing of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, please consider donating to an amazing organization like The Trevor Project!
Speaking of the power of supportive communities, let’s talk about something close to my heart—how to build community when you’re on the road.
Traveling and moving to different cities has taught me just how important it is to build connections wherever you go.
Some of my best friends today are people I’ve met on my travels. Finding your tribe while on the road can be a bit of a challenge, but trust me, it’s totally doable and so rewarding.
Here’s how you can find your tribe while exploring the world:
1. Join group activities
When I first started traveling, I was pretty nervous about meeting new people. But guess what? It was way easier than I thought, especially when I joined group events through meetups and Airbnb experiences. These activities are fantastic icebreakers and offer a low pressure setting to meet people with similar interests. Whether it’s a food tour, a hiking trip, or a local cooking class, shared experiences create natural opportunities for connection.
2. Initiate plans
Putting yourself out there to organize your own events can be a game-changer. I started hosting happy hours, dinners, and museum meet-ups, inviting people through Facebook groups and social media. It’s amazing how many people are looking for opportunities to connect and are grateful for someone to take the lead. These gatherings often lead to deeper conversations and long-lasting friendships.
3. Don’t expect to love everyone.
Not everyone you meet will become your new BFF, and that’s totally okay. Focus on the connections that feel most natural and fulfilling, don’t focus on the numbers. You may find that every 1 in 5-10 people are the ones you connect with best and that’s great!
4. Social media can be a great tool
Social media is a lifesaver for staying in touch with new friends, even when you’re not in the same city. I’ve kept many of my travel friendships alive by regularly checking in on Instagram or Facebook. These platforms let us share our journeys and stay connected until we can meet again.
5. Make Future Plans Together
To make your travel community even stickier, plan future meet-ups. Whether it’s deciding to travel together to a new destination or scheduling a reunion in a favorite city, having future plans ensures that your paths will cross again. This anticipation of meeting up adds a layer of excitement and continuity to your friendships.
So as we celebrate Pride Month and the importance of community, let’s remember that building connections and supporting each other is what makes our journeys richer and more meaningful.
BTW, my mission is help people love their lives so they never want to leave them.
Every week I do my best to share things with you that are inspiring, encouraging, and beneficial.
If you like:
🧠 Simple mental health tips and inspiration
🗓️ Events you can attend with amazing people
💡Random thoughts and musings as one human to another, including things I’m learning as a therapist, digital nomad,
and person who is trying to be her best!
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