By Heidi Weaver
What does it mean to be a joiner? Here are some informal definitions of “joiner” that I found:
- “a person who readily joins groups or campaigns”
- “a gregarious or civic-minded person who joins many organizations”
That all sounds pleasant and advisable enough. But being a “joiner” has honestly always had kind of a negative connotation for me. I picture the character Baby from “Dirty Dancing” frantically pulling the wig off her head when Johnny Castle appears at the table where she and some other ladies are trying on different looks, or the humiliation she faced when her dad volunteered her to be a magician’s assistant. She always found something better to do than play bingo.
The experts agree, however, that joining extracurricular activities is beneficial to our health. In her article, “The Benefits of Participating in Extracurricular Activities”, educator Claudette Christison stated, “Participating in extracurricular activities builds teamwork, communication, relationships, and a sense of belonging … Participation in extracurricular activities demonstrates the importance of community involvement.” Similarly, in her article, “The Importance of Extracurricular Activities”, editorial assistant Darcy Nathan wrote, “[Extracurricular] pursuits can also help to improve your mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving your mood, and increasing your energy levels.”
My cynical view of being a joiner was seriously challenged this past year when I started working at a university, and suddenly my inbox was flooded with invitations and registration links to join all sorts of activities. My first inclination was to delete these emails and keep my nose to the grindstone. That was easier said than done though, because through my office window I can literally hear the sounds of community participation and enjoyment. I lost the power to resist.
So lately, instead of automatically deleting the invitations that come across my email, I take a minute to read and consider them and then to SIGN UP. By doing so, here are some of the activities I’ve been fortunate to join: Pride month spin class, trivia night, National Hispanic American Heritage month dance lessons, corn hole tournament, Halloween door-decorating contest, summer yoga class, Restorative Justice Workshop, and volunteering at the Transgender Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic, just to name a few. These things can usually be done over my lunch hour or right after work, they break up the day, burst me out of my office bubble, introduce me to lots of great people, and are undeniably fun.
I know we all have some invitations lurking in our inboxes, especially this time of year. It’s to your benefit to take a minute to seriously consider them, leave the corner of Kellerman’s dance floor, and join in.