Being in community is romantic in theory—but inconvenient in practice. It requires time, patience, and the willingness to experience discomfort. It asks you to show up even when it’s awkward. To talk through conflict instead of avoiding it. To not just “let them” walk all over your needs or your boundaries for the sake of harmony—but also, to not... See more

In some corners of the Internet there’s a fascination with traditionalism, and criticism of the ways the openness and optionality of modernity have left people feeling lost. I’ve always felt like, look, I could never be a traditionalist, because I don’t want to give birth to five kids without anesthesia and spend half of my day cleaning up around... See more

When it’s real, present and felt, community can be a source of social connection, belonging, shared purpose and meaning. More often – and increasingly, in the absence of other social safety nets – it’s invoked in the abstract as something we desire, or should be working toward.