Belonging

Belonging is my word of the year. I didn’t choose it—at least, not in the way you might pick a word as a guidepost for the months ahead. Instead, it found me. It showed up in unexpected places, whispered in quiet moments, and unfolded in illuminating conversations.

Over the last two years I've been learning about belonging. I thought belonging was about fitting in, about finding my place in certain spaces. But as I've studied, I realized belonging was so much more. It’s not about being accepted—it’s about being seen. It’s about feeling at home in yourself and sharing that sense of home with others.

The Power of Feeling Connected

We are stronger together. I’ve always believed this, but I’ve felt it more deeply these last few months than ever before. In moments of laughter with old friends, in conversations with strangers that felt like soul connections, in the quiet understanding between people who just get each other—belonging was there.

Belonging isn’t just a warm feeling; it’s a deep, undeniable knowing that you are valued, that your presence matters. It’s the peace that comes from knowing you don’t have to prove anything. You just are, and that is enough.

Where I’ve Found Belonging in Unexpected Places

• In vulnerability – I used to think belonging meant always being strong, always having the right words, always showing up perfectly. But this year, I’ve found that belonging often grows in the raw, unpolished moments—when you admit you’re struggling, when you ask for help, when you let someone see the unfiltered version of you.

• In conversations that went deeper – I’ve had the kind of talks this year that shift something inside you. Conversations where walls come down, where honesty replaces small talk, where the words me too create a bridge between hearts. Belonging isn’t just about being in a group; it’s about connection. And connection happens when we dare to be real.

• In giving and receiving love – Belonging is not just about being loved but also about allowing ourselves to receive it. This year has reminded me how we may deflect kindness, how we downplay compliments, how we hesitate to take up space. But love—true belonging—asks us to open our hands and accept it fully. We are invited to show up as our authentic selves.

What I’ve Learned About Belonging

At its core, belonging is about being rather than becoming. It’s not something to earn or chase. It’s something to recognize. It’s already here, identifying and honoring moments when we feel safe, understood, and connected.

Belonging isn’t a destination; it’s a presence. It’s in the way we show up for each other. It’s in the moments we lean in instead of pulling away. It’s in the spaces where we don’t have to shrink ourselves to fit.

And the most beautiful thing? When we cultivate belonging within ourselves, we create it for others too. We become safe havens. We create spaces where people feel seen, valued, home.

Belonging is Love in Action

This year, belonging has taught me that love isn’t just something we give—it’s something we allow. It’s in the way we listen, in the way we accept, in the way we remind each other: You are enough, just as you are.

I’m still on this journey, still learning what belonging truly means. But one thing I know for sure: we are stronger together. And when we belong—not just to others, but to ourselves—we find peace, connection, and the kind of love that changes everything.

Where have you felt the deepest sense of belonging this year? I’d love to hear your story. Send me an email.