Why Community Matters to a Holistic Lifestyle

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why community matters and how important it is for our well-being, especially as part of a holistic lifestyle. Looking at all things in our lives that are contributing to our wellness. 

For me, over the years there have been a few things that have made me really aware of how much I’ve had to shift the kind of community I lean on.

Before starting my herbal practice, I worked in a hospital for 17 years. Over that time, I grew close with many of my coworkers,  we felt like a little family. Spending 8 hours a day together, five days a week, we became a big part of each other’s lives. We celebrated birthdays, weddings, and new babies, and we showed up for each other through the hard times too.

Even though I still keep in touch with some of them, it’s just not the same without the daily connection. I really miss that coworker camaraderie. Venting about a rough day, collaborating on a project, or sharing small wins with people who just get what you’re doing.

In 2021, alongside other big shifts I was making to support my health, I made the decision to quit drinking. Alcohol had been a crutch for me during tough times, but I reached a point where I knew it was no longer serving me. I needed to let it go.

And when you make lifestyle changes like that, especially ones that go against the grain, it can really shift your social circles. People who are still relying on the same old coping mechanisms might pull away. Sometimes your growth shines a light on what they aren’t ready to face and as a result, they fall off. That was another moment where I felt my sense of community shrinking.

I don’t have extended family to lean on either. With my father’s passing in my late 20’s and my mother off in her own world most of my life, I’ve had to find this sense of community on my own. I wasn’t raised religious, so I didn’t grow up with a built-in spiritual or church community either. That’s probably why I’ve always been so intentional about finding connections elsewhere,  and why it’s something I deeply value.

Being a solo entrepreneur who works from home has only made me feel that lack of connection more deeply. I’ve realized how much I need real, regular community in my life.

One way I’ve found that again is through in-person events here in the Sacramento area. Every time I go to one, I leave feeling so uplifted. Connecting and chatting with the incredible women who attend these events, and hearing their stories, reminds me that I’m not alone. I’ve also been lucky to meet other solo entrepreneurs out here doing amazing things who are looking for connection too.

I meet with two groups of herbalists and wellness practitioners as well. One is a weekly zoom with a group of herbalists from across the country, the other a small group of my former classmates. We talk about client cases, share business challenges, and laugh about how no one ever really knows what a Clinical Herbalist actually does. These groups have been a huge support, both personally and professionally.

More recently, I’ve found another kind of community through a small group gym program. We cheer each other on during workouts, and at the end of every session, our coach Mel (at Melanie Levy Fitness) has us reflect and share one good thing from our day or week. It’s simple, but it fills my cup in a really nourishing way.

And I have also felt a sense of connection in unexpected places, like at Sacramento Kings games or comedy shows. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people from all walks of life, all rooting for the home team or laughing at the same jokes. In those moments, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you feel like you’re part of something bigger. There’s joy in that collective energy, which feels especially beautiful in a world that often feels so divided. 

All of this has reminded me that we’re not meant to do life alone.

So I’m curious, have there been times in your life when your community has changed? Are you currently craving more connection? What does community look like for you right now, and how does it impact your sense of well-being?

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Are you looking to build community in the Sacramento area?

Here are some local groups and resources to check out: 

• The Beauty Boost Sacramento - Community for women to feel empowered, healthy and beautiful. Monthly in person events. 

• Powered by Women of Sac - Networking for female entrepreneurs. Virtual and in person events. 

• Sacramento Girls Room - Local in person events, and a facebook group to post events you have coming up!

• Girls Just Wanna - A social club for the creatively curious with local in person events. 

• Melanie Levy Fitness - Movement and mindset training for women in their 30's, 40's & 50's. Small group training, 1:1 training & Online training 

• Her Elevated - Created by women for women, to hold space for one another, and to find, live and thrive in the elevated version of themselves. Group fitness classes & Wellness Classes.

More Ways to Connect: 

• Look for local events and classes that spark your interest. There is no better place to meet people that align with your interest than showing up to events that interest you! 

• Try movement based community spaces like hiking groups, yoga class or small group fitness programs. 

• Attend workshops or talks on topics you care about. 

• Volunteer for a cause that is dear to your heart. 

• And last but not least, just say YES. Being open to things you haven’t done before, even when you are scared or nervous, can lead to unexpected connections!  

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Hi, I'm Danielle, a Clinical Herbalist passionate about supporting women in feeling nourished, finding balance and reclaiming their health with confidence and care.

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I believe that when women thrive, the world does too.