Belonging

I recently did something silly, maybe even stupid.
I bought a flight to New York to attend an event I didn’t even have tickets for.

Colin and Samir announced an event in NYC for September. I bought a flight before tickets were even available. Because of course I'd be there - these are my people. And flights only get more expensive the longer you wait, so I just pulled the trigger.
Giving me a solid deadline to shape my summer of progress around.

Because of course I’d be there. These are my people.
I've been part of their community since taking the creator thing serious. Contributing to their community, moderating the subreddit and modeling a lot of the beginnings after their model.

It felt like a bold-but-obvious move. I didn’t even question it.

But this week finally tickets dropped and I got stopped in my tracks.

Attending the event wasn’t as simple as forking over some cash.
You have to apply to be there and get accepted.

As someone running communities and hosting creator events I totally get the need for curation and making sure the right people come together. Because nothing’s is worst than standing in a group of people you don’t belong to.

I’ve had moments throughout my life where I was in the room but not part of the conversation.

So when I had to write my application for Press Publish NYC I felt that sensation again for the first time in a very long time.

The feeling of standing outside looking in, not belonging to at cool kids at the table. Making me question if I am good enough to be there.

Do I really belong here?

I know I do and I know I’ll be at the event. Meeting a room full of my people.

But it made me think about how Creators can give viewers a sense of belonging.
Open doors and set up filters that invite the right people in rather than exclude the wrong kind.

Here’s the simple system I’ve come to create that sense of belonging:

The 3C Framework

Clarity – Let people know what your space is for and who it’s for. When you’re clear about the vibe and the values, the right people recognize themselves in it and start amplifying your message.

Consistency – Belonging doesn’t happen in a single post. It’s built through repetition. Not following trends but sticking to a path your chose and being the same person next week that you are today.

Contribution – Give people a way to be part of what you’re building. Actively invite them to shape what you are building by asking questions, answering them and recognizing the people who keep showing up.

These don’t require a big platform or a perfect system.
They just require you to care.

If you ever felt a sense of belonging here, through these letters or the YouTube Channel

I just want to say thank you!

You’re the reason this space exists. You continue to shape what Orbit is.

Let’s keep doing that. Together.

💛 Valentin

P.S: If you want to take a more active part and make progress on your own goals you can still join our Summer of Progress until Sunday.

Monday we’ll do an Audience Discovery Workshop, then doors close until Fall.

P.P.S: This weeks ​I got my own filming setup roasted​ by someone who can set up an epic set literally anywhere