Even Introverts Need Crowds

So many people seek this feeling of transcendence. They seek it at sports stadiums, protest marches, Mardi Gras, Burning Man, and homecoming parades—anywhere people come together for a group experience.33 They seek it in sacred ceremony and religious ritual, as French sociologist Émile Durkheim noted, because this feeling is the basis of religion.

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“It’s become accepted that we can exist in isolation from other people and our physical environments,” he continues, “even though both are fundamental to our quality of life as human beings.”

Belonging gives us the confidence to take care of ourselves, others, our planet, and all the members of our ecosystem. Knowing this, it becomes clear that building a community is one of the most important, generous, and creative acts a human can aspire to.

Feeling part of a community helps us to feel seen and gives us confidence and identity, and reaching other steps on the hierarchy of needs becomes much easier with a social support system. A strong social network may help in times of crisis, support with job search or with moving houses. It may also be instrumental in inspiring us to reach our full... See more