What is Community? When I contemplated it as one of the four realms of balance in my writings here, I found it the most difficult to describe. What does Community look like for you?
Family is very important to me and is definitely a part of my Community, but it’s also a part of my Home. Many people find Community at a church, with a hobby group, or in a sport. We’ve definitely been a part of the rock climbing community for a number of years, but our participation in regular climbing with others has recently waned. Colleagues at work can cross over to fill your Community, as can people you meet through your children’s schools. But I’m a part time doctor on the verge of a sabbatical from my work, and despite meeting some awesome families lately through our forest preschool, our daughter will be leaving that behind when we travel.
In my current balance of Work, Home, Community, and Self, I feel that my weakest link is Community. With our impending period of nomadic living, it’s been weighing on my mind. Then I attended FinCon 2019 in Washington, DC this past week.
FinCon is a conference, held yearly and growing by leaps and bounds, that is geared toward anyone who blogs or creates online content (especially but not exclusively finance-related). I wrote a recap of my FinCon first-timer experience in Orlando last year, so this was my second year in attendance. It felt so different! The time overflowed with decidedly more networking and social connection vs. consuming the information at the sessions (no worries, I’ll have online access later). I met so many inspiring people and strengthened relationships I made at the previous year’s conference. Especially with the “Fincon Docs”. That’s when it clicked.
These people play a big role in my Community.
- They’re writers, podcasters, content creators, forward thinkers, and problem solvers. Some of them stay anonymous in their social media space, while others are recognizable to even nonphysician readers.
- They’re men and women, parents and nonparents, experienced clinicians and young mavericks.
- They’ve listened to me as I spill all my ideas, thinking aloud as I organize what I’d like to do with this blog and other potential endeavors.
- They’ve questioned my direction and provided me with accountability and solutions… and friendship.
We’re all from very different backgrounds and live in a variety of locations. Yet we all share common bonds from doing something creative outside of our medical practices. We all practice balance by pursuing things that make us “not just doctors”. We’re proud of but not defined by our professional roles. And we support each other relentlessly.
I’ve kept up with the docs I met last year via messages and social media throughout the year. Now that our little Community has grown, I’ve got new connections to foster. Near the end of the conference, the phrase I heard frequently out of others’ mouths (not just to me but to each other) was,
“Please let me know how I can help you.”
If that’s not the essence of Community, I don’t know what is. Conferences take time, travel, an expense. But all that trouble can be so worth it to gain a new Community. If you want more inspiration, check out this article from one of my favorite FinCon Docs who professed her love for conferences.
How can you find a conference that might fill your need for more Community? Do a Google search on the word “conference” alongside other things you’re interested in or people you follow. From work to philosophies to hobbies to TV preferences to family size… there’s a conference for that!
Do you have an upcoming conference you’re going to attend or would really like to attend? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!
Interesting Skills I’ve Acquired As A Practicing Anesthesiologist
Thanks Dawn. What a great adventure in DC. Looking forward to connecting soon!
Likewise, Vi! And for organizing and hacking our yoga experience!
LOVE this and couldn’t agree more! Thanks for writing what we all have been thinking.
Absolutely. Our community just seems to be growing stronger with time.
It’s exciting to be a part of this growing, inspiring community.
Thank you for highlighting all of these wonderful people, for hanging out with us at FinCon the last couple of years, and for having exceptionally long arms.
Cheers!
-PoF
I’m happy to do it all and grateful for the long arms ! So glad we reconnected.
What a well balanced article! This is Community my jam!
Thanks Bill! So glad to have met you at FinCon. To many more!
When I started working locums for the last three years of my career, I lost community. We were going from town to town. Lost contact with friends. Were at a different church every week. I didn’t notice it at first but as time went by, I noticed it more and more. You really do need community and it is something you give up when you live a life on the road. I feel it with all the traveling I have been doing.
Dr. Cory S. Fawcett
Prescription for Financial Success
That’s a very good point; travel is something my family will be doing a lot more of this year, so we’ll see how the Community aspect changes.
It has been awesome to experience this growing and supportive community.
I got your back, Tall Dawn. Literally.
Good luck on your move and I hope to see you soon.
I thought I recognized that hidden figure behind Dawn!
I’ll gladly cover you anytime, Wealthy Doc!
I regretted not going to FinCon18 in Orlando and was determined not to make the same mistake twice. I am so happy I bought the 2019 tickets the moment they became available.
It was truly an amazing experience being immersed with like-minded people. The absolute highlight was meeting in person the people I have only previously interacted with only online. Putting faces to names was a great feeling and I felt like I was in a super secret society especially meeting those bloggers who are still anonymous to the general public.
I have already plunked down my cash for the 2020 conference and barring any setbacks hope to continue the relationships already built.
I’ll be seeing you there in 2020 as well! I’m so glad you decided to go after hesitating the previous year. It’s easy to get imposter syndrome, but our Community is so supportive it’s amazing.
Dawn,
Great to hear that the community of docs (and beyond) this year remained cohesive and engaging! It’s hard to find the special sauce of misfits that goes best with your particular meal, but FinCon has been as close to getting it right as I’ve encountered at a conference.
Thanks for reporting so those of us who couldn’t attend still managed to enjoy it through your eyes,
CD
P.S. I hope it was easy getting that ginormous checked bag over to FinCon this year 😉
Crispy, we really missed you. Hoping you’ll be at the CA one next year near your neck of the woods. We have you to thank for sparking our Community in 2018!