Building Supportive Communities in a Remote World
The Paradox of Isolation and Connection
As someone who finds solitude both comforting and rejuvenating, I’ve always valued the clarity and focus that comes from time spent alone. Isolation offers a space to think deeply, recharge, and work without interruption.
Yet, I’ve also learned that too much solitude can become an echo chamber. Without the richness of connection, my ideas risk stagnation, and I miss the creative spark that only arises from shared experiences. Worse still, if I get stuck, there’s no one to help me climb out of that hole I dug for myself. It’s this balance between the need for personal space and the value of connection that has shaped my appreciation for the power of community.
It isn’t about constant togetherness, it’s about having a reliable circle to lean on, learn from, and grow with when I need it, and to lend that support to others.
Finding and Building Your Connected Community
We live in a world that praises independence and celebrates self-reliance. From birth, we’re sold the idea that success is a solitary climb, a gritty battle won through sheer force of will. But here’s the thing: humans aren’t built for isolation. We’re social creatures, and the bonds we form are as critical as the work we do.
During the Pandemic, many connections were broken. Long-lived events and groups vanished practically overnight. Even now, we are picking up the pieces and finding that many of them don’t work anymore, and may not have worked before, but we were so used to them we didn’t notice.
The uncomfortable truth is that sometimes we need to break those connections. For me, the moment this truth hit was back in 2016. My website agency, which I ran as a remote community, had been going strong for about seven years, but I hit a glass ceiling. I couldn’t do any more work but doing it as a community leader alone just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Fortunately, I had a community space (and Bernie) to help me find a new path and help me move forward. Changing directions was scary, but since I had the support I needed, I was able to take those first steps in confidence.
Back then, I got my Scrum Master certificate and began focusing on my true strengths—getting things done and helping others do the same—and since then, my sense of community has grown exponentially, organically, and is 10x better than before, when I had to fight and search for every contract.
Rebuilding that sense of connection doesn’t just happen. You have to chase it. Communities don’t appear out of thin air—they’re cultivated, intentionally and with care. It starts with showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. A shared workspace can be the foundation: a place where relationships grow naturally because everyone’s there for the same reason. It’s not about forced networking or icebreakers; it’s about the small, authentic moments—like swapping book recommendations or venting about a stubborn project—that build real bonds.
The Value of Community in a Coworking Setting
Coworking isn’t just a trend; it’s a solution to one of the most pressing challenges of modern work—finding connection in an increasingly fragmented world. Studies show that individuals in coworking spaces report reduced loneliness, expanded networks, and greater overall happiness. Beyond networking, it’s about finding accountability, sharing knowledge, and witnessing the magic of collective problem-solving.
Coworking spaces aren’t just for freelancers or tech startups; they’re for anyone tired of the grind of working alone. These spaces are about working alone, together—a phrase that sounds like a contradiction but nails the reality. In a coworking space, you still have your focus, your independence, but now it’s surrounded by the hum of others doing the same. It’s grounding. It’s motivating.
I’ve seen it firsthand. There’s the writer who pounds out a novel while sitting next to a programmer debugging code. The graphic designer sketching logo ideas while a small business owner brainstorms marketing strategies on the phone. They’re all working on their own things, but together, they create an atmosphere of momentum. It’s contagious.
And the benefits aren’t just professional. Coworking spaces tackle something more profound: loneliness. It’s not just about finding people to work near; it’s about finding people who get it. People who understand the highs and lows of creating something from scratch, who can celebrate your wins and commiserate over your losses without judgment.
What We’ve Built at 3rd Place Works
At Third Place Works, we’ve seen the power of community time and again. Our three-month cohorts are more than just workshops or productivity sprints—they’re incubators for connection. Each participant comes with their unique challenges, but together, they create something bigger than themselves.
One story stands out. A coworking space manager joined one of our cohorts, stuck in a rut and questioning whether she’d chosen the right path. She didn’t need more tools or tips; she needed people to help her see the value in her work again. Over three months, she not only reignited her passion but also built a support system that continues to push her forward into the next phase of her career.
Communities, and our Community Builder Cohorts, aren’t about quick fixes or easy answers. They’re about doing the hard work in a space that makes it bearable—sometimes even enjoyable. It’s about showing up, sharing struggles, and walking out stronger than when you came in.
The Call to Build Something Bigger
Bernie and I at 3rd Place Works believe in the power of intentional community-building. If you’re tired of going it alone, if you’re ready to find your people and build something bigger, we’re here. Communities aren’t magic, but they are the place where isolation ends, and real connection begins.