I heard this statement from a woman on TikTok: “I’m not chasing friendship, I’m chasing community.” Before she could even finish her next sentence, I jumped out of the app and went straight into my Notes. I didn’t need much when the message was received. Especially when it sparks a thought that ends up being a blog… or anything creative for that matter.
My ADHD, neurodivergent, autistic brain does wonders with the powers it holds, and every day I’m learning how to flow with it instead of fighting against it. Sometimes it feels like my mind catches things others overlook. It’s both a blessing and a burden. But that’s not what this is about. This is about how I see things differently, how I process the world, and how this one phrase opened up an entire train of thought about the difference between friendship and community.
I think people have confused the two. Everyone’s fighting to “find their tribe,” to “build their community,” but treating it like friendship. That’s where they get lost.
Friendship is emotional. It’s about connection, comfort, shared experiences, laughter, and support. It’s where we seek to be seen. But community? Community is about purpose. It’s about accountability, shared values, and a collective mission. It’s about people coming together not just because they like each other, but because they believe in the same direction.
I’ve learned that community will challenge you in ways friendship won’t. Friendship might tell you what you want to hear. Community tells you what you need to hear. Friendship asks, “How are you?” Community asks, “How are you growing?”
When I first started The Social Tour, I was looking for friends who understood my creative drive. People who loved art, film, design, photography, storytelling…the same way I did. But what I found instead was something deeper. I found people who didn’t just want to connect; they wanted to build. People who wanted to grow, contribute, learn, and teach. That’s when I realized I wasn’t looking for friendship anymore. I was looking for community.
There was a time I felt alone in Easton. I used to take walks downtown every day at 2pm, partly to think, partly to escape. I didn’t realize that those walks would become a form of connection. Over time, people started recognizing me, waving, asking questions about what I do. “Hey, you’re the guy from The Social Tour, right?” At first, it caught me off guard. But then it hit me…community was forming in front of me. Not in a meeting, not in a group chat, but right there on the streets.
The same people I’d see every day became part of my rhythm. Artists, baristas, small business owners, kids with cameras hanging from their necks, dreamers trying to figure it out. The city was starting to feel alive again.
Easton is growing. I see it. Every week, new faces peep into The Social Tour… not looking for friendship, but looking for purpose. Looking for belonging. Looking for community. And it’s beautiful. Because when a city starts to believe in itself, that’s when real growth happens.
I often feel like the scarecrow in a field full of sheep. Watching the world move in circles, following trends, chasing clout, while I’m standing there saying, “You don’t have to move like that.” I’ve said things months, sometimes years in advance, and nobody listens until it’s too late. Then the world catches up, and everyone’s in a panic. Meanwhile, I’m calm. Because I already saw it coming.
That gets tiring though. Writing another “I told you so” blog isn’t as satisfying as it used to be. These days, I write them for myself. As a record. A receipt for the future me. Proof that I saw it. That I felt it. That I was here when people were missing it.
But even with that exhaustion, I still have hope. Because community gives me reason to keep speaking up. To keep building. To keep showing up. And truthfully, that’s what I want others to feel too.
We’re growing something special in Easton. It’s not about cliques or social circles. It’s not about being seen…it’s about being part of something that actually means something. The Social Tour isn’t just a place for creatives to hang out. It’s a movement for collaboration, education, and connection. It’s a home for people who want to build together, not just be together.
I’m not chasing friendship. I’m chasing community. Because friendship is a bond, but community is a legacy. Friendship fills your heart. Community fills the world around you.
And I want you to grow with us.
If you’re a brand, business, or individual who believes in what we’re doing, who sees the importance of community, creativity, and connection…we invite you to partner with us. The Social Tour is expanding through workshops, public events, creative meetups, and programs that help people find their voice and their path.
We’re looking for sponsors and partners who want to be part of Easton’s growth story. Because this isn’t just about us. it’s about all of us. Together, we can turn this small city into a hub for creativity, culture, and collaboration.
So here’s my ask: don’t just watch us grow. Grow with us. Be part of the community we’re building. Because when we all pour into each other, the overflow is something the world can feel.
If you’re ready to join us or learn more about partnership opportunities, reach out today. Let’s build a community that doesn’t just exist… it matters.
Hope this helps,
-B
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