At, A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, we’re leading the charge in this transformation. By introducing innovative concepts like co-housing and alternative HMO models, we’re reimagining what it means to live in a community. In this blog, I’ll share my thoughts on how these new approaches are reshaping the property landscape.

Read or watch when I caught up with David Price on the True Life Business Show…

What is Co-Housing?

Co-housing is not just a housing model; it’s a movement towards intentional living. Unlike traditional housing, co-housing communities are designed and managed by the residents themselves, with a strong focus on sustainability, shared resources, and communal living.

Co-housing typically involves a group of like-minded individuals coming together to create a living environment that fosters connection and mutual support. These communities often feature smaller private homes with larger shared spaces, where collaboration takes precedence over isolation.

And Co-Living?

The Urban Twist

While co-housing is centred around intentional communities building and owning their community, co-living brings this concept into the urban rental market, making it accessible to a wider audience. Co-living is a response to the challenges of urbanisation, such as the high cost of living, cost of housing and the increasing sense of disconnect.

There’s a saying… Lonely in a city of millions and this has been truer than today.

Co-living spaces typically offer smaller private rooms with extensive shared amenities like kitchens, lounges, and recreational areas. This model particularly appeals to young professionals who prioritise affordability and community over traditional notions of ownership.

The Key Differences Between Co-Housing and Co-Living

Though co-housing and co-living share similarities, they are distinct in their execution. Co-housing communities are often self-managed and deeply rooted in shared values, while co-living spaces are usually developer-driven, catering to individuals seeking convenience and a sense of community within an urban environment. In my view, co-housing is about a collective vision, while co-living is more about making urban living more accessible and less isolating.

Alternative HMO Models: A New Approach to Shared Living

One of the most exciting innovations we’re introducing is the concept of alternative HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) models. Traditional HMOs often lack a sense of community and can prioritise profit over people. Our vision is to change that by incorporating cooperative principles into the HMO framework. In these alternative models, tenants are encouraged to take ownership of their living space—not in a financial sense, but through governance and day-to-day management. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility, which is often missing in conventional rental arrangements.

Creating Intentional Communities in Urban Spaces

A key aspect of our strategy is the creation of intentional communities within urban co-living spaces. This involves carefully selecting tenants who share similar values and lifestyles, ensuring that the community is cohesive and supportive. The process begins even before the tenants move in, as we facilitate introductions and help potential housemates align their expectations and living styles. By doing so, we aim to eliminate the anonymity and disconnect that often plague traditional HMOs.

Benefits for Property Investors

For property investors, our alternative HMO model offers a unique opportunity. By adopting this community-focused approach, investors can reduce void periods, as tenants are more likely to stay longer in an environment where they feel connected and valued. Additionally, the cooperative model reduces the burden on landlords, as tenants take on more responsibility for the upkeep and management of the property. This creates a win-win situation where both landlords and tenants benefit from a more sustainable and harmonious living arrangement.

The Future of Co-Living and Intentional Communities

As urbanisation continues to shape our living environments, the demand for innovative housing solutions will only grow. Our vision for co-living and alternative HMO models represents a significant shift towards more humane and sustainable living arrangements. By prioritising community, intentionality, and shared responsibility, we are not only addressing the housing challenges of today but also paving the way for a future where urban living can be both affordable and fulfilling.

Conclusion

At A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, our work is a testament to the power of reimagining traditional systems. As we look to the future, it’s clear that concepts like co-housing and co-living will play a crucial role in creating more connected and sustainable communities. We invite you to join us in this co-living revolution and help shape the future of urban living.

Join our community!

Click here to check out our Co-Living projects and get involved

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Getting your mind, attitude and outlook aligned so you can immerse yourself in an approach that most people will tell you won’t work or is too hard is why we created the ReThink Community.

Believe us. It’s not impossible. That is what this blog lays out for you, it delves inside the community and what you’ll get out of it so you can be 100% in or out…

The community to help create “Your Community”

We have a tried and tested process of bringing together people interested in cohousing, a resident-led intentional community. 

When you arrive at joining, there will likely be doubts about how to make it. That’s natural. The house-building process is a minefield of complexity, and one you won’t want to approach alone. We break it down. We will help you explore what you need to know in the correct order, and the time saved by doing this will be one of the most valuable decisions of your life. 

You might even decide all this is not for you and go and buy/rent another home. That is priceless.

One step at a time, starts with you.

First thing first, you have to spend time on yourself. You have to explore yourself, then your household and the lives you currently live and compare them to how it could be if you got what you wanted or needed. 

Sounds easy! But it’s not, because what questions do you ask yourself? What problems are you experiencing that can be changed or made better? 

Let’s find the others that think like you

Once you’ve spent time looking at the problems and solutions out there, you have to be sure you find others in the same boat as you. 

The strength drawn from those like you will help you to keep going and support one another in some of the more wobbly phases when creating, building and owning homes together. 

Think of these steps like a dating service. First, we bring you together for the first date by profiling your wants, needs and purpose. Then, by providing places to meet and get to know each other, you can work out whether you go on the second and third dates! Then you might start a relationship. 

In terms of what we do, we know it will cut out time-wasting and even more so getting to an advanced stage and realising the people around you aren’t the right fit.

So, why join the ReThink Community? What will you get?

• A feeling of togetherness, it’s essential to be connected and more than just an online community; we support and help members create in-person meet-ups.
• Q&A sessions with the experts who bring our process to life, the professionals. Those who design, plan and build a sustainable living solution with a foundation in One Planet Living principles.
• We lead live workshops and training for you as a member to support you in creating your community. 
• Added value content + resources, like legal, financial and marketing support. Proven solutions that aren’t conventional but much more human. They exist. You don’t know it yet.
• Mini Courses, checklists and worksheets help simplify your journey and achieve your goals more quickly. But most importantly will help you connect and engage with others in the Community.
• Once you’ve joined, we help you create your blueprint for your home, including location, which starts fueling our land search.
• And the cherry on the cake — Exclusive access to land opportunities. Without this, the rest is a fruitless exercise and will drain away energy.

You have access to a private online Community where you and we can share stories and inspire each other’s journey. When we take care of ourselves first, everything else falls into place effortlessly! 

So if you’re looking for a safe place where like-minded people can connect & learn together, then this is it.

Online & In person

Online Community is everywhere now, and we spend a lot of time in groups on social media or other virtual spaces with people who share our likes and interests. 

But in-person meet-ups also work well; they are crucial to your success in working out who you would or wouldn’t want to live with in the future! The meet-ups allow strong bonds to be formed.

We also work with a network of community organisations to help you find locations to meet and local ambassadors who support the meet-ups to run smoothly. They can be as formal or informal as you like.

Live Q&A sessions

Live Q&A sessions are a great way to connect with experts in the field and learn more about their work. You’ll get inspired by the professionals who can make all this a reality. They also dream of creating resident-led communities. They are tired of the same old churned out. You are their energy. You can submit questions before, during, or after the event. 

These regular rituals will highlight and go through the ten principles of One Planet Living, showing real-life solutions in action.

Co-Create- community workshops

These sessions focus on the principles of Community and how you want yours to look, feel and operate. There are many working parts to bringing a group of people together. We will address these from our own experiences and those living this way. 

Here’s how:

• Participation is essential, but you can only truly participate if your voice is heard and taken seriously. We show you how and provide the tools and expertise to learn and implement this approach. This means you make decisions together and therefore don’t waste time.

• It’s essential to know and understand how to run your meetings. As a part of the ongoing learning, we support anyone who wants the opportunity to get experience by facilitating some of the sessions, We’re there to support this and co-facilitate. 

Why might this community not be for you?

If you’re actually quite happy where you live and how you live, then it’s unlikely you’ll get much from the community. 

You don’t like challenging yourself or changing much, if it sounds like too much effort it’s not for you.

You’re prepared to put up with what you have as you feel like it would be hard work, you certainly need to commit to doing something, we take away the tough tasks and professional work, but you still need to show up. So if that’s too much, you won’t get anything from the community.

Join our community!

The mainstay of any online community is a place where you can share your story and learn new ideas from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the move.  Our community spaces have both access via desktop or mobile browsers and an app.

Everything we’ve discussed starts with a free online community. This can rise to £15 a month if you choose to learn and get access to the professional support needed to bring these projects to life.

If you go a bit further, then there are other costs associated with designing and building homes – but we deal with all of this in the ReThink Community. We also have opportunities for those looking at co-living – an alternative to HMOs.

We work hard on helping those conversations flow with simple guidelines so you know what to post about and how to engage and find your people, and we’re there every step of the way. 

We promise to be present, engage and support every step of the way. We are a community of people who are passionate about learning and doing. We have a track record of helping people learn new things. 

1. Learn more about yourself through our Better Places to Live Quiz. 
2. Then, complete one of our upcoming Bootcamps or Challenges and consume some of our blogs before you jump in. 
3. We’ve also got a Buyer’s Guide, which contrasts and compares how you can achieve this resident-led approach to house building, so no stone is left unturned.

If you do all this, we can be sure you’ll hit the ground running and be ready to take action when that perfect piece of land surfaces.

The foundation to real success in the quickest time possible is your mindset and belief there is another way.

So be in the game, contribute to making this happen, and start now!

Join the ReThink Community now

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Extra Resource:

Dive into the concept of Healthy Power with experts Nathaniel Whitestone, John Buck, and Pete Burden. This video explores the transformation from traditional toxic power dynamics to collaborative, nurturing leadership. Plus at the end of this blog you’ll find links to videos and podcasts on Neighborocracy and more!

What is Healthy Power?

Healthy Power is the ability to know and accomplish one’s goals in a way that increases the power and wellbeing of everybody involved, the communities and ecosystems as well as the individuals and organisations.

Healthy Power shows up in systems where power is circular, fluid, and consensual.

Power is circular where a web of mutual influence enables each person or group to lead the others. If there’s “power over”, that power runs both ways, and thus becomes “power with”. 

This circular power is how great leaders actually lead and healthy communities actually function — forget about the nonsense myths of saints and heroic CEOs who have all the answers without listening to anyone because they are somehow one with the Source, or about “flat organisations” where nobody has any special expertise or influence. Neither of those exists in the real world. When people try to create make everyone fall in line with the insights of a brilliant leader, tragedies follow. When people try to make a community where nobody’s more special than anyone else, nothing gets done… or people just follow the guidance of influential people while refusing to admit they’re doing so.

Power is fluid when nobody owns it as a personal asset. Nobody is entitled to power; power is delegated by the organisation or community to those best suited to exercising it at a particular time. This might be the visionary founder! Or it might be someone else. 

Power is consensual when the people who are affected by it get a chance to say “yes please” or “no thanks”. This is different from the coercive tricks or outright force that are the norm in our society, and particularly in the world of work.

Taken together, these differences enable a high-integrity way of working and living that can replace the ills of modern life with a truly flourishing society.

The Role of Sociocracy in Cultivating Healthy Power

Sociocracy, a governance system that distributes leadership and emphasises consent-based decision-making, is a practical approach to achieving Healthy Power. It fosters transparent communication and collective management, allowing for distributed authority and increased individual agency.

Although Sociocracy is not the only way of cultivating Healthy Power, it’s worth adopting Sociocracy or a similar form of governance as an underlying framework that enables various other practices, from Agile working methods to Non Violent Communication, to be impactful together.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the practice of Healthy Power and how it can reshape our societal landscape.

Healthy Power Manifesto

We face a profound choice:
to continue with the ways of toxic power which we inherited,
or to build a world together where power is healthy for all.

We all love power.
We all suffer from toxic power.

Healthy Power is circular, not linear or flat.
Healthy Power is fluid, not frozen.
Healthy Power is consensual, not coercive.

Healthy Power is the ability to do work over time
in a way that is good for all the people and systems involved:
the ecosystems, the human communities, the customers, the workers, the
investors, the leaders,
all of us.

Healthy Power is not an alternative.
It is our future.

The Future is here. We Have Numerous Models of Healthy Power.
If you are committed to bringing healthy power to your workplace or your
community, you are already leading the shift to a world where power works for everyone.

It can be done. It must be done. We are doing it
We invite you to join us

Foundations of the Healthy Power Alliance

The Healthy Power Alliance was conceived in 2014 as a catalyst for change, and as a learning community bringing together practitioners in organisations and communities, consultants with expertise in developing healthy power, and academics interested in both theory and practice.

Join us in redefining power for the common good and make the commitment to be a part of the global transformation towards a healthier, more just world.

If you want to stay in the conversation, fill in this brief questionnaire! We’ll be in touch.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EV7zVc8rWUEWjfTg64qZI84zP0v-YnN0ZOZYNrcKdT4/edit

More Resources

PODCAST: Neighborocracy – an Indian success story in grassroots governance https://pod.link/1534854798/episode/a2e61cdde354d98e95b7cc10529d54b9

VIDEOS: Joseph Rathinam And Neighbourhood Democracy https://citizen-network.org/library/joseph-rathinam-ndm.html

PODCAST: Joseph Rathinam (Part 1): Neighborocracy- Global Governance From Below https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neighboring-movement-podcast/id1450320068?i=1000632478432

BLOG: What a healthy workplace looks like https://afairersociety.com/what-a-healthy-workplace-looks-like/

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In the heart of every community, there are stories of resilience, unity, and transformation. These stories often go unnoticed, yet they are the threads that weave the fabric of our society. At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of these stories and the impact of micro grants in fostering local community connections.

Ayeeyo & Awoowo: Fostering Community Wellbeing

In the Somali Elderly community, a simple gathering became a beacon of hope and unity. Ayeeyo & Awoowo, with the help of a micro grant from A Fairer Society, organised a heartwarming meet-up designed to promote mental health and wellbeing. The event was a resounding success, with delicious food, great company, and an atmosphere of unity and support. This story is a testament to how small grants can have a profound impact on local communities.

Eastville Warm + Welcome Space: A Haven of Support and Camaraderie

The Eastville Warm + Welcome Space is another example of how a micro grant can transform a community. The grant allowed the group to purchase food items for their lunch meals, creating a space where everything is ‘free’ of cost. This approach fostered a richer connection with everyone, creating a space of no judgement and no monetary requirements. The impact of this initiative was far-reaching, with participants reporting the importance of meeting people in their communities and having a warm space to visit.

Rebecca Oregan: Beautifying Streets and Fostering Community Spirit

Rebecca Oregan used her micro grant to beautify her street and foster a sense of community among her neighbours. She purchased mainly second-hand pots and new plants, sparking renewed discussions about gardening and planting for pollinators. The initiative not only lifted the street’s aesthetics but also raised awareness about the importance of front gardens and recycling.

Ridgeway Road: Building Stronger Communities

Ridgeway Road’s story is a testament to the power of community. Their micro grant was used to purchase plants, compost, paintbrushes, and new 20mph signs. The event brought together residents from approximately 20 households, with around 15 children free to play together in the street. The feedback from neighbours and kids has been overwhelmingly positive, with lots of demand to do it again!

School Uniform: Saving Money and Reducing Waste

The School Uniform project used their micro grant to buy plastic storage boxes for their used school uniform collection. This initiative not only saved uniforms from going to waste but also saved parents money. The project is a great example of how small grants can make a big difference in local communities.

Conclusion

These heartwarming stories highlight the power of micro grants in fostering local community connections. They show that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our communities.

At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of community and the impact of small actions. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a fairer society. See what difference you could make in your community, follow A Fairer Society. #AFairerSociety #CommunityImpact

Why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’

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The challenges we all face…

As a cohousing developer, we deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that cohousing can bring, and we firmly believe in the value and benefits it offers in enabling eco housing. Cohousing, for those unfamiliar, is a housing model where residents actively participate in the design and operation of their community, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared responsibility.

Eco housing, in the context of cohousing, presents a powerful solution to the rising cost of living and helps us become more eco-conscious in several key ways:

Shared Resources, Shared Costs:

By pooling resources and sharing the expenses associated with maintaining an eco-friendly community, the financial burden on individuals can be significantly reduced. Cohousing allows residents to benefit from collective buying power, making sustainable technologies and materials more accessible.

Sustainable Design & Infrastructure:

Cohousing communities emphasize eco-friendly building practices, such as energy-efficient construction, renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces. These measures not only lower utility bills but also contribute to a reduced carbon footprint.

Community Knowledge and Support:

Living in a cohousing community provides a rich environment for knowledge exchange. Residents can learn from each other, share best practices, and collaborate on sustainable initiatives, amplifying the collective impact on the environment.

Reduced Commuting & Transportation:

Cohousing developments are often strategically located near essential amenities and public transportation, encouraging residents to minimize their reliance on personal vehicles. This translates to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.

Eco-Conscious Lifestyle

Cohousing promotes a lifestyle that is centered around shared values, including sustainability and environmental responsibility. When residents are actively engaged in creating a greener community, they are more likely to adopt eco-conscious habits in their daily lives.

Our Vision at A Fairer Society: Building Sustainable Communities

At A Fairer Society, we are dedicated to empowering individuals who strive to tread lightly on the planet. By harnessing the power of a community approach, we aim to create cohousing developments that prioritize sustainability, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire positive change in the way we live.

Our services not only focus on designing and developing eco housing projects but also on nurturing a strong sense of community. We believe that by bringing people together, we can amplify the impact of their collective efforts and create a brighter, greener future for all.

If you are someone who shares our vision of a sustainable world and yearns to be part of a community that actively works towards that goal, we invite you to explore the possibilities of cohousing with us.

Join the Cohousing Movement: Your Invitation to a Sustainable Future

Together, we can create a better, more eco-conscious way of living that benefits both our wallets and our planet. Let’s embark on this transformative journey, one home at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about cohousing and how it can help you live more sustainably, visit our website where we have numerous articles about co-housing and projects around the UK.

A Fairer Society Blog

UK Cohousing Projects

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 “Is there a housing crisis in the UK?” and “Will house prices go down in 2024 or beyond?” 

The truth is, the housing crisis is a complex issue with no easy solutions. However, one alternative housing model is gaining traction as a potential solution: cohousing.

Is Co-housing the Solution to the UK Housing Crisis?

Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative neighbourhoods created with a little ingenuity and a lot of commitment to social connection. These communities offer a solution to many of the problems plaguing the UK housing market, including high prices, lack of affordability, and the risk of market crashes.

So, why is there a housing crisis in the UK? 

The reasons are numerous, from a lack of affordable housing to high demand and speculative investment. These factors have led to a situation where many people are priced out of the housing market, leading to increased demand for rental properties and pushing up prices.

But where is the biggest housing problem in the UK? 

While London often takes the spotlight due to its high prices and demand, the crisis is nationwide, affecting cities and towns across the country. This is where cohousing comes in.

Cohousing communities, like those supported by A Fairer Society (AFS), offer an alternative to the traditional housing market. These communities are designed to share resources and communal spaces that help to reduce living costs. They also offer a sense of community and connection that is often lacking in traditional housing developments.

But will housing prices go down in the UK?

It’s hard to say. What we do know is that cohousing offers a stable alternative regardless of market fluctuations. And with the potential for a UK housing market crash looming, now is the perfect time to explore this alternative.

So, how do we fix the UK housing crisis?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, cohousing projects offers a viable alternative for many. By providing community-focused housing, we can begin to address the housing crisis and build a fairer society.

If you’re interested in learning more about cohousing and how it can provide a solution to the UK housing crisis, take a look at our many articles on co-housing, UK projects and why not take our 1 min quiz? 

Visit A Fairer Society today and together, we can navigate the housing crisis and build a better future.

See if you need a ‘better place to live’.

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But what if there was a way to combat this loneliness, to foster real connections and create a sense of belonging? Enter cohousing communities, a solution offered by A Fairer Society.

What are co-housing communities?

Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative neighbourhoods that foster a sense of community and connection. They offer a solution to the loneliness and isolation that many people experience in today’s disconnected society.

So, what is the main cause of loneliness?

 It can be many things, from living alone to a lack of social interaction. But one of the key factors is a lack of community connection. That’s where cohousing can make a difference.

Cohousing communities are designed to foster connection and community. They offer shared spaces for socialising, communal meals, and regular community activities. This can help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, providing residents with a sense of belonging and a community to rely on.

But what happens to people in isolation?

Isolation can lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, from depression and anxiety to heart disease and a weakened immune system. There is no single solution to the growing ‘silent pandemic’ but it’s the responsibility of us all to try and find solutions that can benefit our society, communities and us. The reason we champion cohousing communities is because we have the seen the results from projects across the UK. It’s amazing the difference it make to people’s lives, providing regular social interaction and a supportive community.

So, how do you deal with loneliness?

We believe one of the most effective ways is to foster real, meaningful connections with others. And that’s exactly what A Fairer Society is trying to build through cohousing communities and other inititives in the workplace and your community. Take a look at some recent micro-grant projects and how a small grant can benefit a street, neighborhood and the local community. Our aim is to work with you to provide a space for people in your community to connect, to share experiences, and to support each other.

In conclusion…

Loneliness and isolation are significant issues in today’s society. But they’re not insurmountable. With projects such as cohousing communities, we can foster real connections, combat loneliness, and build a fairer society. To find out more about cohousing and how it can help to combat loneliness, take a look at our articles on co-housing communities and projects across the UK on the links below and you can also take a look at our latest articles and blogs.

Living in Intentional Communities: Exploring Cohousing

Co-op housing 5 UK examples that are working for One Planet Living

Cohousing: Bringing you better places to live

The importance of community in your neighbourhood

You can even take a quick 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’.

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Some critics argue that an organisation is nothing more than a group of individuals sharing a brand name and a bank account. They argue that an organisation is a nonexistent entity, a construct used to extract resources, shirk personal responsibility, and benefit a few at the expense of many. At A Fairer Society, we respectfully disagree. We believe that an organisation is far more than its constituent parts – it is a complex, living entity that forms from the web of relationships among its members.

What is a Working Community?

An organisation is best understood as a working community. Within this community, relationships interconnect to create a meaningful, distinctive entity – one that individuals can identify with and feel a part of. Depending on the nature of these relationships and the dynamics within the community, it can be a thriving, healthy entity or a toxic, dysfunctional one.

The Commons: More Than Shared Resources

In this working community, the shared resources, or “commons,” aren’t just the tangible assets like a bank account or a brand name. The commons also encompass values, goals, shared responsibilities, and the collective actions that shape the community’s character and operations.

Organisations: Catalysts for Positive Change or Exploitation?

To truly appreciate the dynamics of this working community, consider the infamous case of Enron. Here, a singular focus on extracting maximum profits led to a highly exploitative relationship with the commons, which became the defining characteristic of their community. But organisations can also embody values of fairness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. It’s about how we relate to the commons – whether we choose to exploit or collaborate.

Beyond Shared Accounts and Brand Names

Being part of an organisation implies more than a common name and a shared account. It also involves shared values, decisions, and relationships. Organisations, contrary to the belief of some, do exist and can be powerful catalysts for positive change. When harnessed right, they offer a framework for collaboration, collective decision-making, and the pursuit of shared goals.

Towards a Fairer Society: Our Advocacy

However, the potential for exploitation does exist. That’s why at A Fairer Society, we advocate for a more equitable, inclusive, and ethical approach to organisational membership and management. We recognise the power of organisations as vehicles for positive social impact when they foster environments of respect, shared responsibility, and fair resource distribution.

Conclusion: Changing the Narrative Around Organisations

So, let’s change the narrative around organisations. They are not just illusions constructed to evade responsibility or extract resources. Instead, organisations are tangible entities emerging from the web of relationships and shared resources within a working community. Acknowledging their existence allows us to explore the dynamics that shape them and work towards creating a fairer, more inclusive society.

As we continue this journey towards fostering a fairer society, we welcome you to join our dialogue on the nature and purpose of organisations. Let’s work together to build more inclusive, ethical, and productive working communities.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

Take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

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We are living in a society that dreams of wealth and success. We want to be rich, famous, and successful to live our best life. But the quest for this is damaging our society. So are we living lives or just working to live?

Work to live, or live to work?

There is a difference between working to live and living to work. Work and life are very different, and we must recognize the distinction. One shouldn’t be instead of the other; however, many people feel as though they have no choice but to choose one or the other. The cost of living and pressures on us demand it.

Work-life balance is a topic that comes up frequently in conversations at work or among friends because we all want to enjoy our lives and find meaning in what we do every day. And while this may seem like an easy thing to do—we can’t just go home after work and switch off! So how do you ensure there’s still room for enjoyment within its structure (or even outside of it)? Take care of yourself first, then worry about how much money you’ll make later. Easier said than done; I hear you say.

Working too hard means missing out on other essential areas of life

If you’re spending all of your time working, it means that you’re not happy. If you don’t enjoy your job, this will likely affect how hard you work. On the other hand, if you are exhausted and overworked, then it is likely that this will also affect the quality of work that employees do.

If people feel like they have no control over their lives, they are more likely to feel depressed and stressed out with no control over their circumstances (even if those circumstances weren’t ideal).

We all need to take a step back from our careers sometimes; otherwise, we run the risk of burning out entirely or feeling resentful towards our colleagues and employers. Or worse, our family and loved ones.

Not everyone can afford to take time off

Not everyone can take time off. While it’s easy for those with high-paid jobs that allow for travel and flexibility, many people cannot afford to take a week off from work and get away from it. 

Travelling is expensive, especially if you’re taking kids with you or have other financial obligations such as a mortgage or family members who depend on your income. Some people also have chronic illnesses or disabilities that limit their ability to travel long distances without difficulty.

There are also people without savings accounts; they don’t want to spend money on something frivolous when there are bills to pay and food on the table.

Enjoying life doesn’t have to be expensive

Many of us have forgotten how to enjoy life in a world where we are busy working to live. We think that to enjoy our life, we need to spend money. But this is not the case! Unfortunately, this is the society we see around us on social media. 

Instead of buying things, we should focus on building memories and experiences with our loved ones. Have fun in nature or start new hobbies. These activities will bring you closer as a family and make for great stories later in life when you look back at them together.

Sometimes the only solution is to make a change

All of the above is well and good, but what if you cannot leave your job? What if it’s taking a toll on your health, time with family and friends, or happiness? Then you must find a different solution; spending time in nature won’t cut it.

Sometimes we need to do something drastic to fix our problems. Sometimes we need to make changes for other parts of our life (like our career or the place we live) to improve or even stay afloat. For example, if you have a job that is causing anxiety or stress because of its demands on your time and energy, then maybe it’s time for some self-care by finding another position that allows for more balance between work responsibilities and personal obligations. Perhaps when you come home from work, your neighbourhood brings even more stress. Noisy neighbours or miles away from family and friends. These pressures will get you more focused on the job you hate.

What’s essential in life?

Many of us have a very mundane everyday life. Most days, when you leave the house, you go to work and then come home again. Spend most evenings and weekends in front of a screen, and it doesn’t have to be that way! It could change where you live or work, and it’s a choice.

We all value things in our lives more than money or fame: family, friends, and health are just some of them. We also have hobbies that make us happy, maybe even creative outlets through which we express ourselves spatially (art) or verbally (music).

We enjoy travel because it broadens our minds and helps us connect with other cultures and learn about new places and people worldwide – whether travelling alone or on holiday with friends or family members; whatever works best for everyone involved!

Work-life balance is essential when it comes down to living well, but sometimes balancing all these things together is difficult, especially if work takes up so much time during weekdays. In contrast, weekends should be time to relax at home, with downtime together without distractions! However, without working hard firstly, we can’t afford to live, never mind the fun, so both feel like they need each other equally for quality living conditions throughout life’s stages. This is the broken system we can’t escape.

Conclusion

What a complicated topic, and I don’t claim to have all the answers. However, I know that we need to find a balance between work and life. If you feel your job is taking over everything else in your life, then maybe it’s time to make some significant changes. 

But also, how can your home life be improved with small or subtle changes by the people you have around your community or neighbourhood? Maybe, it’s something an intentional community can bring you. 

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The post We are a society working to live. Can we change? appeared first on A Fairer Society.