The Real Movement

"Under_Score" (tomtheatum)
03/24/2019 at 22:06 • Filed to: None

Hey there, y’all. I’ve noticed for a while that loneliness is a common theme on here, and there are many younger users (usually 18-30) who feel they do not have many people to go to in real life. With that being said, I figured now was a good opportunity to discuss something I attend called The Real Movement.

The Real Movement has four different locations (it’s only in Georgia): Kennesaw, Atlanta, Athens, and Milledgeville. Kennesaw caters to KSU, Atlanta caters to GSU and GT, Athens caters to UGA, and Milledgeville caters to GCSU. Unlike most on-campus groups, which are usually Christian and only consist of students from those colleges, The Real Movement, better known as TRM, is a social gathering (called a “hangout”) for young adults to come and meet each other. There is a Christian origin to it, but Christianity is purposely not emphasized. These hangouts occur once a week at 7:30, allowing college students and full-time workers to come together after their days are done.

After some time is given to meet other people, you’re encouraged to get in a small group with people you’ve never met. There are questions pertaining to a certain theme that the people in your group answer. For instance, the questions this past Thursday involved conversations with other people. They were like “Is your small talk ‘what’s the weather like’ or ‘what’s your biggest fear’?” and “What’s your go-to response when someone asks how you’re doing?” You’re given a lot of time to answer these questions. As a result, you can take time to learn more about the people in your small group after y’all answer the questions . Rather than learning about the basics of people and nothing else, these questions allow you to see another side of people.

The hangout I went to recently was the KSU one, since I live near there. My group consisted of people my age still in school and people in their mid-20's with full-time jobs. It was a great group. Though I sometimes wonder if these are people I’ll build lasting relationships with, I’m glad this opportunity is here, and I wish this concept spread to places outside of Georgia. If there are gatherings similar to TRM near you, I encourage you to try them out.

If you want to learn more about TRM, please visit their !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or their !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (29)

VincentMalamute-Kim > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 22:31

Need something for older people. They have more problems making friends than college or working people.

Under_Score > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/24/2019 at 22:37

Maybe it comes down to where I’m from. Older people usually have activities for them at local centers, etc. Here, meanwhile, if you’re not Greek (frat/sorority), Christian, or both, it’s hard to find a group when you’re young. A lot of older people are Christian, so they can find outlets at church.

My mom has been taking advantage of opportunities. She joined a tennis league again, and she also plays racquetball with other people. My dad, meanwhile, seems fine being isolated, as he wasn’t a super social person to begin with.

Under_Score > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/24/2019 at 22:37

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 22:43

I support the cause, this would’ve helped me almost a month ago. I’m with someone now and she’s just the absolute best and I can be myself around her and it doesn’t feel artificial like everything has before. She's been through a lot like I have and we sympathize with each other and that brings us closer. I love her to death and she says, "I love you more even if you don't wanna believe it you loser". I'm finally happy for once. I hope you and others feeling lonely can work things out and find someone and make good friends. And I mean it. No one should ever have to be lonely.

smobgirl > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 22:53

I run to force myself to hang out with people. When I’ve struggled with running (like the last couple years), I really lose a lot of that connection.

Under_Score > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
03/24/2019 at 22:54

Something kind of funny I noticed is that a lot of the people who are “leaders” in TRM (that’s my term for it) are dating each other, etc. It’s crazy how close that brought them together.

Under_Score > smobgirl
03/24/2019 at 22:56

As I told Vincent, my mom has used sports as her outlet, and she’s starting to do that again. Long before the penguin pillow pet was hatched, she played a ton of racquetball and tennis and made good friends through it.

smobgirl > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 23:12

My mom thinks women shouldn’t exert themselves. I keep telling her to join a book club or knitting or something.

Personally, I should find a spo rt that’s less inherently awful but when it comes down to it I think about half of my running group hates to run, so... :)

Under_Score > smobgirl
03/24/2019 at 23:16

Racquetball? Courts are super hard to find where I am at least. Where my mom goes is kind of close, but it’s just one court. I live in metro Atlanta, which is huge.

Chariotoflove > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 23:18

I remember reading that most people end up marrying someone they meet at work. It makes sense, because work is where you spend most of your time with the same people. But, I bet that’s outmoded because in these litigious days with #metoo and lots of formalized guidelines, sometimes handed down through HR, it’s just dangerous or at least scary to try and get personal with work folks. People have to find safe places to meet and hang out. I’ve never heard of this TRM, but it sounds like a good idea.

Tohru > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 23:29

I find it a lot easier to only associate with people online and basically only go to work or home

Under_Score > Chariotoflove
03/24/2019 at 23:30

It’s only at some schools in Georgia.

DipodomysDeserti > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 23:38

We are living in the darkest timeline.

DipodomysDeserti > Chariotoflove
03/24/2019 at 23:48

My critical thinking skills tell me that if spending too much time at work keeps you from finding personal connections, you’re probably soending too much time at work.

Chariotoflove > Under_Score
03/24/2019 at 23:52

Well hopefully it works for folks at those schools.

Chariotoflove > DipodomysDeserti
03/24/2019 at 23:56

I would tend to agree.

If you work in an environment where you see the same group of people on a regular basis, it does half the work of getting to know people . You can make connections outside of work. You just have to put a little more effort into setting up the environment. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, since you should be doing more than working in your life.

DipodomysDeserti > Chariotoflove
03/25/2019 at 00:07

Yeah, if your work life dictates your personal life, you lack boundaries. That’s a skill that should be learned at a young age. I’m only 32, but realize many older and younger than me were never taught these skills.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Under_Score
03/25/2019 at 00:19

I’m not religious so that really cuts the opportunities. I’m like your dad but want to be like your mom. I didn’t realize it was hard to find a group to belong to when you’re young.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Tohru
03/25/2019 at 09:43

‘sup, stranger

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/25/2019 at 14:55

Seems like these sorts of conversation groups shouldn’t have age restrictions (I mean, maybe 14-104 or something).

VincentMalamute-Kim > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/25/2019 at 16:48

You’d think so. And they may well be open to all ages. I’m assuming it’s all going to be young people and I’d feel a little weird if everyone was 30 years younger than me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/25/2019 at 17:04

For some reason, it’s much easier for me to have deep conversations with people a lot older than me or a lot younger than me.

VincentMalamute-Kim > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/25/2019 at 17:06

If you ever figure out a reason behind that tendency, I’d be interested to hear what drives the psychology.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/25/2019 at 17:23

I’d guess that it comes from old feelings of wanting to be accepted by my peers (and not always fitting in as I was growing up). Perhaps I care less what people in their 60s or 20s think of me, so I’m more willing to share more of myself with them (less fear of being judged).

I’ve always been kind of an “old soul”, a thinker, and like conversing with others of like mind. So these young people I like talking with are the dreamers, the ones with big ideas or introspective types.

VincentMalamute-Kim > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/25/2019 at 19:02

Those are good points. And your actions are admirable. I think I’m too anxious trying to entertain and don’t do enough serious listening. And that gets in the way of sharing or asking personal questions. At the same time, I’m more shallow and impatient to try to get to know very young or very old people. I should do better.

Tohru > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/25/2019 at 23:14

stranger is as stranger does, stranger

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/26/2019 at 08:46

I’m an information junkie. If I come across someone, of any age, who’s interesting and can teach me something, it’s easy for me to delve into conversation with them (once we get past the initial hesitation and awkwardness). And the older I get, the more I learn that nearly everyone knows something I don’t know, and can teach me something.

VincentMalamute-Kim > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/26/2019 at 20:57

That’s a great attitude. I’ll try to remember that. I’m disappointed that I’v e gotten older without learning stuff like that. This little conversation was very worthwhile for me. Thank you.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/26/2019 at 22:14

I’m glad. You’re very welcome.