Collective Care for Collective Resilience

mmunChallenge #40 – Collective Care for Collective Resistance

Over the past 20 years we’ve witnessed firsthand how coworking spaces evolve, how communities grow, and how they offer more than just a desk and Wi-Fi. Coworking, at its heart, is about connection, collaboration, and creating a space where we can not only thrive in our work but also in our shared humanity. Now, as we look forward in 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on how we, as community leaders and global citizens, can respond to the call for resilience, through an act of collective care.

The Need for Collective Resilience

We see the world grappling with immense challenges. From political tensions in North America to the global impacts of imperialism, oppression, and economic hardship, many of us find ourselves exhausted and burned out. Activists, advocates, and those fighting for justice are facing a growing sense of defeat. The exhaustion is palpable.

The system we live in isn’t just broken; it often feels like it’s designed to break us. But what if the way forward isn’t just about pushing through, gritting our teeth, and fighting until we burn out? What if, instead, it’s about coming together to support each other through acts of collective care?

The Healing Power of Collective Care

As community leaders, we are often the ones holding space for others. We create environments where people can do their best work, build meaningful relationships, and grow both personally and professionally. But who holds space for us when we need it? As caretakers and leaders, we too need a place to be supported, to heal, and to reground ourselves.

We’re seeing it more clearly now: the body knows when something is wrong. We’ve noticed it in ourselves. When we engage with the relentless stream of social media, the constant onslaught of bad news, our bodies react—tightness in the stomach, a dry mouth, rising anger. Anger is important. It’s valid. But if we don’t process it, it becomes a toxin in our bodies, festering into something far more harmful. So, the first thing we must do is stop. Pause. Breathe. Take a step back. By doing so, we can begin to regulate our nervous systems and return to a place of thinking, of clarity.

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. One simple but powerful technique is breathing—specifically, breathing with intention. Slow, deep breaths, inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of six, helps reset the nervous system. When we feel centered in our breath, we can step out of panic mode and back into our power.

Grounding in Chaos

What we’re experiencing is nothing short of a war on our very bodies, minds, and spirits. In the US, for instance, federal funding has been paused, affecting vital services like education, food benefits, and healthcare. People are facing food insecurity, housing instability, and mental exhaustion. Our collective energy is being siphoned off by a system that profits off our struggle.

But in times of chaos, there is an opportunity for change. When systems break down, it’s a moment to imagine new ways of being, new ways of supporting each other. A breakdown is often the prelude to a breakthrough.

In our coworking spaces, we see firsthand how powerful collaboration can be. Coworking communities work best when they rely on each other, when they lean on the collective strength of everyone involved. So, what happens when we apply that same principle of mutual support to the broader world? What happens when we come together not just for our work, but to create new systems of care and resilience?

A Call for Collective Action

This is the heart of what the Coworking IDEA Project seeks to foster: collective care as a form of collective resistance. We are a group of individuals and community leaders committed to creating a better world, not through individualistic means but by leaning into the power of our shared humanity. We know that the most impactful solutions come from the collective wisdom of many voices, many hearts, and many hands.

This year, we’re launching a new group that will meet monthly, to hold space for people going through life transitions—whether it’s a job change, housing instability, or personal transformation. It’s a space where we can come together to process what’s happening, share tools for resilience, and support each other in becoming the leaders our world desperately needs.

Our monthly gatherings will be informal—think of it as an unconference. Iris and Ashley will facilitate, but the conversations will flow organically, centered around topics like leadership in uncertain times, fostering empathy and trust, navigating transitions, and rethinking systems of care and equity.

Our discussion themes will evolve with the seasons, focused on collective care, resilience, and community building. We want to explore how communities and the leaders within them can be rooted in resilience, and how we can collectively work toward a world that is more just, more caring, and more equitable.

Rethinking Systems: A New Era for Coworking

As coworking spaces continue to grow, it’s important that we think beyond the physical space. We’re building something bigger: a network of care and support. If we want to create a future that prioritizes collective well-being, we must be willing to ask ourselves tough questions. Do we want to patch up broken systems, or do we want to reimagine something that serves everyone, especially those who have been marginalized?

As an example, think about SNAP benefits (food assistance) in the US. The system is broken, often insufficient, and leaves families struggling to make it through the month. Instead of merely fighting to reinstate these benefits, we must ask ourselves: what would a truly just and sustainable food system look like? One that doesn’t rely on the government but is powered by the people.

The breakdowns we are witnessing in our systems may feel like a crisis, but they’re also a fertile ground for growth. Just like a garden at the end of the season, the decay and breakdown of old structures will fertilize the growth of something new.

Moving Forward Together

The Coworking IDEA Project isn’t just about coworking—it’s about creating new systems of care, justice, and mutual support. It’s about fostering the kind of community where we can take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in this journey of collective care and collective resistance.

The first step is simple: ground yourself, breathe, and come as you are. We are creating a brave space to make mistakes, learn, and grow together. We can’t do this alone. Together, we can’t be stopped.

Our next meeting will be the last Wednesday of the month at 10am Pacific. Join us for an informal circle where we’ll share, listen, and build together. Let’s come together to build a more just, joyful, and resilient world—for all of us.

We’ve got this. And we’ve got each other.

We hope you’ll consider joining us. If you’re someone who is committed to bringing about change—whether in your own life or the world—this space is for you. Let’s lean into this work with care, with resilience, and with hope.