“To belong” is to be a part of group, team or community, and your inclusion in that group can be documented by membership and rosters. But in a broader sense, to belong means your place in a certain community is valued, respected and secure. In either sense, belonging builds self-esteem, social skills, and, in moments of personal or collective crisis, belonging to a supportive group can offer comfort, strength, and resilience. This is especially true when belonging means knowing you are included without needing to change or hide parts of who you are. Through those authentic and meaningful bonds, we develop a sense of stability, direction and comfort and know that we can rely on others to support us.  

Belonging can be found in various contexts, such as family, friendships, workplaces, cultural or religious communities and even online groups. In many of these, our sense of belonging feels based on commonalities and shared experiences within those communities or spaces. In a cultural or religious context, belonging can provide a sense of shared identity, values, and traditions, fostering a deeper connection to one’s heritage and beliefs. With a club, organization or sports team, shared interests and common goals create a sense of camaraderie and grow our ability to work with others.   

However, belonging is not about being similar or identical to others. People can belong to groups even if they have different backgrounds, perspectives or experiences because no matter how similar a group is, no one is the same. When we recognize and embrace the differences in the groups we belong to, we broaden our understanding of the world and build open-mindedness. The sense of belonging builds communities where differences strengthen and sustain the community. These communities are then more resilient because they can draw on a variety of strengths, resources, lived experiences, and knowledge. 

Defining Belonging: What does belonging mean to you? How do you know when you belong somewhere? 

The Value of Belonging: Why is it important to feel like you belong? How does it affect your happiness? 

Feeling Excluded: Discuss a time when you felt excluded and didn’t belong. How were you feeling, and what can be done to prevent others from feeling the same way? 

Role Models: Identify people (real or fictional) who exemplify the spirit of belonging. Discuss what specific traits help them build community or deal with exclusion. What can we learn from their actions and attitudes? 

Belonging in Different Contexts: Explore how belonging might look different in various settings, such as school, work, sports teams and online communities. How can we adapt our approach to foster belonging in each context?