When you first venture out into the digital space, it can be something of a timid experience. However, you need to make sure that you are finding the right spaces for you so you are able to flourish on the internet. There is room for everyone here, and so many different online communities waiting for you to join them!
Start with Social Media
One of the first places you should look at should always be social media. Though we tend to think of this as one broad umbrella, each of the different sites brings a different experience, and each one could be right for you.
For example, Facebook is still best for connecting with friends and family, and for engaging in your local community. Twitter is brilliant for discussing ideas with people all over the world. Finally, you could join a platform like Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest if you have your own content that you wish to share with people. Social media is free to use, and relatively easy to master!
Focus on Your Hobbies
What do you like to do in your spare time? By choosing to focus on your hobbies, you should be able to find a community of like-minded people through which you can share your interests. You could even find forums packed with others who enjoy your hobby and are happy to talk more about it.
From casino games to gardening, numismatism or phillately, if you can think about it then the online community will most definitely exist for it. You just need to be prepared to go out and search for it. Though there might be some jargon to pick up (many online forums use shortened phrases such as OP for Original Poster, as an example), you will often find that many online spaces are very welcoming to new members.
Remember You Can Move On
You might have jumped at the first group that you found, only to discover that they are not really your sort of people. The beauty of the internet means that you can easily cut ties with them and move on if you choose! Remember that this is always an option for you, so never be afraid to see what else is out there.
There is even the potential for you to pick up a new hobby here. For example, you might head online to try to find some people to game with on a platform like Steam, only to discover the world of TTRPGs and start playing them instead. There truly is something for everyone online.
If you cannot find the support for your hobbies that you want to see in the real world, it is always a good idea to head online to see what you can find instead. Head to the internet and start searching out an online community that you can call home now. Before you know it, you could have even made some of the best friends of your life, all through a shared connection of an activity you take part in.
