Relating to others, finding and enjoying similarities and differences, is a smart mind activity. Even simple conversations at a bus stop are affirming and can increase our self-confidence.
You can practice belonging.
Learn to spot people/situations that are invitations to belong: these come from the smart mind in other people and talk directly to your own smart mind.
Dare one say it, also learn to see attempts to exclude you which are always from someone else’s stupid brain: their inadequacy not yours.
You can practice helping others to feel that they belong.
Learn to identify ways to invite people to belong alongside you. Connect to their smart mind: treat it with respect.
- You belong to your degree subject and the community of learners and teachers in that subject. Others may have belonged for longer, but you belong just as much.
- You can belong to any number of student societies, clubs, teams.
- You can belong to quite casual groups of like-minded people.
We all belong in different ways and to different degrees. Find out what level of belonging is best for you.