Lex Get Together #5 | Start Local

Hi there folks,

Sh*t has felt really overwhelming lately. The daily news lands heavy, national tensions run high, and there's this unspoken pressure to respond to everything, all at once. It feels harder than ever to connect with others, right when we need it.

These are the moments when acts of connection matter most - a text to check in, a shared meal, an offer to help.

You can't do everything, but you can do something

Get clear about where to focus your limited energy.

One of the biggest barriers in closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be is that you likely don’t have a clear picture of what you’re moving toward. It’s hard to build something if you don’t know what it looks like.

Dreams need details to become reality. When we say things like "I want to make more friends" or "I want to start volunteering," we're pointing our compass in a direction—but we haven't mapped the path. The magic happens when we get specific: Which issues not only matter to you, but make you want to roll up your sleeves? What kind of people do you want to connect with, and where do they gather?

I don’t totally believe in “The Secret,” but there is something transformative about visualizing and clearly defining your future. When you know what you’re aiming for, it’s easier to take steps toward it.

A Tool to Help You Dream Big

Last year, I found this video from iCharly called “Let’s Not Waste Another Year Inside Your Head.” In it, the creator reflects on what’s been holding her back from meeting her goals and shares how she’s working to break the cycle.

One of the most helpful tools she shares is a template that prompts you to think about your ideal future self—not as a description of who you are now, but as if they were a character you’re creating.

Here’s why this works:

🛸 By treating your future self like a character, it’s easier to dream big without getting bogged down by self-judgment.

🛎️ It asks you to define yourself as more than your job or your appearance. Who are you beyond those surface-level labels?

🧭 It creates a clear vision of the person you want to become and encourages you to take small, sustainable steps into that version of yourself.

I used this template at the start of 2024 and really loved it. The exercise helped me paint a clearer picture of who I wanted to be, and revisiting it from time to time has given me a way to refine and reconnect with that vision.

The path to meaningful connection starts right where we are

Something I’m thinking more about is money. It's wild how many of our social connections default to spending. Coffee dates, dinner meetups, drinks after work - they're all great, but they can add up quick.

There are so many more ways to build community that don't revolve around our credit cards.

• Community Swap Meet: Trade houseplants, books, clothes, or kitchen gear with neighbors.

• Body Doubling: Tackle tasks together. Things like Sunday meal prep, virtual study sessions, or cleaning day over Zoom can be easier with company.

• Repair Fair: Bring what's broken, learn how to fix it (or get it fixed!). From wobbly chairs to glitchy laptops, someone local usually knows how to help.

• Neighborhood Walks: Start a morning walking group or organize sunset strolls.

• Buy Nothing Groups: Share what you have, ask for what you need. Beyond just giving away items, I've seen neighbors share garden harvests, loan camping gear, and even offer expertise.

• Mutual Aid: Mutual aid is about cooperating to serve community members. Show up where your community needs it. This could look like shoveling a friend’s driveway, sharing skills, or delivering groceries to your neighbor. You could also join a local Mutual Aid organization or build one in your area.

Until next time,