the connector
Illustrated card created by Jess Harwood. © Jess Harwood.
You like being around people, but not necessarily talking the whole time. Working alongside others toward the same small, tangible goal suits you well.
A survey of nearly 2,000 residents in Flint, Michigan found that households involved in community gardening reported stronger neighbourhood bonds and a greater sense of shared community norms than households that weren't involved. Source: Alaimo, Reischl & Ober Allen, 2010, Journal of Community Psychology.
Worth Knowing:
"The eggs were shared around the neighbourhood in those days. There was always someone nearby with eggs."
- carmelina, xage, from victoria
Here's how to find your own way back outdoors:
community gardens
Join an existing community garden and grow something alongside other people, not just for them.
seed and produce swaps
Local gatherings where people swap seeds and produce, quiet and genuinely social. Bring extra seeds or what you've grown too much of and take home something you didn't.
The research above is general, not advice about you specifically. It's here to show why time in nature is worth taking seriously, not to tell you what your body or mind needs. If you're managing a physical or mental health condition, it's worth checking with your doctor or care team before changing your routine — they know your situation, this page doesn't.