This has been one of the largest challenges for me. In traditional monastic life, monks come together regularly as a group in for praise, meditation, labor, meals, and so forth. Within many monastic communities, there are degrees of isolation, from those monks who go into the larger community of humanity to the hermits who live in isolated huts and strictly limit their interactions.
For most individuals, the social support of the community creates a family, a brotherhood or sisterhood, which offers understanding, support, and opportunities for compassionate sharing about their uncommon journeys. There aren’t many secular monastics out there, so unless you are comfortable with being a singular hermit, you will need to actively seek out and select your community, the people who you most freely welcome into your Sphere of Impact.
I have found that my community must be pieced together. I have a small circle of environmentally-minded friends with whom I can discuss my goals towards sustainable living. I have a few friends who care about me and respect my decision to move towards this kind of isolation, and they check in without being demanding of my time, and I offer them the kind of support and friendship that I feel is both wanted and effective. I judiciously interact with some groups on the internet that share my specific interest in music. As business owner, I work with my employees as individuals who share my goal in running a healthy, happy, and generous business place. My son is a young adult, and allow myself ample ways to support his steps towards successful independent adulthood, and he respects and supports my choices, as I hope your family will yours.
I toy with the idea of joining a Unitarian congregation somewhere accepting of Atheists, but have never felt at home in congregations of praise. Perhaps my churches are the forest, laboratory, and library. Similarly, if you participate in organized religion, discuss this endeavor with your religious leadership. They are bound to offer meaningful guidance for you that relates specifically to your faith.
I have found a sense of connectedness through the study of the long history of monasticism, and also by reading the biographies of people who successfully cultivated similar interests and values.
In summary, a sense of community can help you through challenging times when sticking by your promises to yourself is tough, it can also offer support when you are extending yourself to reach for your Good. Be deliberate and discerning when accepting individuals into your Sphere of Impact. Let them know what you are doing and why. Let them know specifically what kind of support you need and also what isn’t particularly helpful. Good friends will take your endeavor seriously and will offer respectful support.