Won't you be my neighbor?
Mr. Rogers
I found this abandoned draft from March 11, 2020. You'll see why I abandoned it at the time. Enjoy this unedited time capsule!
In a world where you can be connected to people half way across the globe, relatively few know the people in their physical neighborhood. I feel that I have been very fortunate to have recently lived in a community that defied this norm. In the short time I have been in my new place, I believe there will be some special community again.
As I am in a condominium, I was given an updated contact list of the other residents. It was so sweet when several residents reached out to me in an e-mail, on Facebook, or in person to make me feel welcome. I even got a few Christmas gifts before I moved in! I am so thankful for this intentional inclusion and community. Some of this may be due to the fact that most of the residents are in, ahem, a different age demographic. =) Perhaps the younger generations have a lot to learn about being good neighbors from those who have been around a little longer.
For those of you who wish you lived in a white picket fence neighborhood with the classic "borrow a cup of sugar" relationships, well, it may not happen quite like that. However, even if your neighborhood hasn't been overly friendly doesn't mean that there aren't individuals who may really appreciate the community.
I had a friend come over and help me make truffles (that was a fun experiment) which I parceled up. Later, I went door-to-door to deliver them and introduce myself as the new neighbor. A little treat and thoughtfulness goes a long way. If you've been in your place a while and it seems awkward to just now be introducing yourself, you might feel more comfortable waiting until a holiday to have an "excuse" to meet someone new.
You may also consider hosting an event for the neighborhood (a bonfire, summer cookout, Christmas party, Easter egg hunt for kids, etc.) Handing out invitations in person will make your guests feel personally invited and welcome.
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