Make New Friends And Find Community Anywhere In The World
Brazil Sidewalk Talk Chapter
Oakland, CA Chapter
I am beaming right now. I am like a neon balloon, bouncing around after my first meeting with Sidewalk Talk volunteers tonight in Heidelberg Germany.
At 6pm, I took my lonely self to the University Cafeteria not knowing quite what to expect. I moved to Germany six weeks ago, leaving behind my loves and “framily” in San Francisco. I was aching for some connection.
Four people turned up tonight - FOUR magical unicorns.
Within minutes I felt the same level of heart and openness and shared willingness to grow and learn that I have felt over the years in San Francisco at Sidewalk Talk. We each went around and talked about what drew us to sitting and listening and how our experiences in our lives shaped how we view people and how we wanted to serve as a listener.
I mean seriously...how often do you have a first meeting with strangers in a different country and get to come together and co create and be vulnerable all at the same time like this? I am still pinching myself. Real intimacy in a first meeting.
We already have date number two set up.
Bonn, Germany Chapter
Thanks to Daniela, we have a What’s App group set. Thanks to Ellen we have a time and place for our next meeting. And we have divided the tasks of German translation, looking up mental health crisis numbers, finding out how to get insurance and permits, and who our contacts are at the four psychology programs in town to get twenty people at our next gathering in two weeks. The energy is so sweet, loving, and creative (thanks Karsten and Miriam).
As we parted ways each member hugged me and said goodbye to me in German. I beamed as they did. All night we had been speaking in English. This felt like a grand gesture that they hugged me and said goodbye and safe travels in their native tongue. What I felt was “you are one of us now”. I told them so. They smiled. And we all left energized.
And so it is with this project - the often under-talked-about magic bond among chapter members where strangers come together to build something special. Some of my dearest friends and people I admire so much are the people I have met listening on sidewalks. We gather month after month to listen and then have dinner together. It is a family of kindness and belonging.
Many people move to new cities and think it will be easy to make friends like university days. But without that vehicle of college, it is hard, really hard. I have done it...twice.
Tonight, I feel so much more hopeful and expansive.
I now trust that I can travel anywhere in the world and start a Sidewalk Talk chapter by posting a few messages on MeetUp and reaching out to local communities and just like that, I would find my people.
So if you are new to an area and have some leadership chops, Sidewalk Talk is the best friend finder and community maker ever. Learn more about starting a chapter here.
