Community – Why Finding Your Tribe Matters

This month is Community History Month, and it got me thinking: what does community really mean?

Technically, it’s defined as “a social unit with shared socially significant characteristics, such as location, religion, or identity.” So, in some ways, you can be part of a community just by where you live or what you believe. But I think it goes much deeper than that.

Sociologist Kingsley Davis put it beautifully when he described community as “a cohesive social unit built on interconnected relationships.” And that’s really the heart of it—connection. It’s the people around us, the relationships we build, the feeling of being seen, understood, and supported—whether we’re thriving or struggling.

Belonging Builds Resilience

Michael Ungar once said, “We can make ourselves more resilient by making the world around us more supportive.” It makes sense, right? When we feel like we belong, when we know there are people in our corner, we’re better able to face life’s ups and downs.

In many parts of the world, like Asia and Africa, life revolves around strong, supportive communities. There, belonging isn’t something you have to work for—it’s just part of how life works. You don’t have to go through things alone.

But in much of the Western world, independence is prized. We’re taught to chase self-sufficiency and personal success—sometimes at the cost of connection. And when we lose that sense of belonging, things can start to unravel.

The Cost of Going It Alone

Without community, we can start to hide our struggles. After all, what’s the point in asking for help if no one’s there to hear you?

We begin to internalize the idea that needing help is a weakness. The pain gets buried, not healed. Over time, this takes a toll—our nervous systems can stay stuck in survival mode, always on alert. And without the tools to regulate that stress, we start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even burnt out.

Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory explains that our nervous systems learn safety through connection. No connection, no calm. The longer we stay dysregulated, the more it can impact our mental and physical health—often in ways we don’t even realize.

What Horses Can Teach Us About Community

In the wild, horses rely on their herd for survival—for safety, for learning, and for a sense of belonging.

Even in domestic settings, horses still need that herd connection. It helps them feel safe, teaches them how to interact with others, and gives them the emotional balance they need to thrive.

Humans aren’t so different. Just like horses, we learn how to live and grow through our relationships. When we’re disconnected, it’s harder to regulate our emotions or develop the skills we need to navigate life. The result? We carry around unprocessed emotions and stay stuck in cycles of stress and isolation.

Welcome to the Forging Futures Community

At Forging Futures, we’re here to help you break that cycle. Our herd—both human and horse—is ready to welcome you exactly as you are.

We offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you don’t have to pretend everything’s fine. Through our work with horses, you’ll start to uncover and understand the emotions you’ve been carrying. You’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, build resilience, and reconnect—with yourself and with others.

You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re ready to feel supported, grounded, and truly seen, get in touch. We’d love to welcome you into our community.