Grow With Eric

Four adults in their 50s talking over coffee at a diner table on a weekday morning.

How to Start a Community Group When Nothing Fits

Updated on 09/20/202609/20/2026

You looked, and nothing local fits. Here is how to start a community group from scratch, even if you have never organized anything and know maybe three people.

A woman deciding to reach out, one step toward finding community when you feel disconnected

Community & Belonging self Improvement

How to Find Community When You Feel Disconnected

Updated on 09/11/202609/11/2026

Feeling disconnected after 40 is more common than anyone admits. Here is how to rebuild a sense of community, in small, doable steps, without the forced-fun.

Adults meeting people at a community rec center, one of 12 third spaces beyond home and work

Community & Belonging self Improvement

Third Spaces: 12 Places to Meet People Beyond Home and Work

Updated on 09/06/202609/06/2026

Home and work aren’t enough. Here are 12 real third spaces, from rec leagues to choir practice, where you can actually meet people after 40.

A man in his forties standing arms-crossed at a grocery self-checkout with a single lime on the scanner — an everyday moment of confidence after 40

Confidence self Improvement

How to Build Real Confidence After 40 (No, Faking It Doesn’t Count)

Updated on 08/31/202608/31/2026

Confidence after 40 isn’t about faking it — it’s a skill you can actually build. Here’s what works, minus the cringe advice.

People gathering in a welcoming third place community

Community & Belonging self Improvement

Rebuilding Third Places: How to Find (or Start) Your Own Community Hub

08/17/202608/17/2026

There was a time when you didn’t have to “plan” to have a community. You just showed up somewhere often …

Hopeful illustration of a person stepping through an open iron gate from a shadowy area onto a bright winding path through a lush landscape with birds in the sky, symbolizing leaving the prison of a closed heart and moving toward freedom and connection.

Emotional Well-being happiness mental health mindset self Improvement

The Worst Prison

Updated on 12/28/202512/28/2025

How a Closed Heart Impacts Your Mental Health Discover how closing your heart can impact your mental health and well-being. …

group of people wearing blue and red shirts

Community & Belonging mental health relationships

The decline of third spaces in communities, crucial for social interaction and well-being, stems from societal changes and increasing individualism. While children engage in structured activities, adults struggle to find similar opportunities due to work demands. The loss of these venues reduces social and civic engagement, leading to isolation and diminished community cohesion.

Group of people sitting in park participating in a community event

Community & Belonging relationships self Improvement

The Crucial Need for Community in 2025

Updated on 02/23/202502/23/2025

In 2025, a decline in community engagement, exacerbated by political divides and the focus on work, has led to increased isolation. Shared experiences are vital for mental well-being. Reviving common spaces can foster connections and support. Emphasizing community initiatives and local leadership is crucial for building resilient societies and enhancing interpersonal relationships.