Belonging is a deeply rooted, powerful, and authentic human experience. It allows us to feel truly valued and accepted by our peers and loved ones, in a way that feels like we’re “coming home.” For many people, the idea of what belonging means has always been tied to similarity. That means being around a community of people from the same background, culture, or certain beliefs.

Motivation is often portrayed as something entirely up to the individual, made up of their own discipline, routine, and personal drive. As integral as these are, there is an equally important factor that is often overlooked: connection.