The Anxious Generation: help with replacing religion

[OctogenarianDecathlete]

I've just finished listening to this book and HIGHLY recommend it: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CMV9BQ14?sourcecode=ASSORAP0511160006&sharee_location=pdp

So now I'm looking at actionable steps to take.

We already limit screen time, DS13's phone is locked down, no social media, family phones in the kitchen overnight, kids playing out with real people in real life, etc.

There's a section about the benefits of religion, in terms of building a community, rites of passage, marker points in the year (can't find a better word for that).

The author himself isn't religious, and neither are we.

Can anyone either share how they have cultivated a community and how they mark important parts of the year, outside of a theistic belief system.

Or recommend a book?

Thank you!

Community building is a really difficult skill. If you don't want to join an existing one then you need to be prepared to be the one who puts themself out there and who makes sacrifices for the benefit of others first. Could you try getting to know your neighbours better as a first port of call? Once you are on speaking terms, invite them in individually for a glass of wine or coffee so you can get to know them better. Once you have started to build trust, maybe start an annual firework party or Christmas do?

If not neighbours then find something youreally care about like the environment or a hobby or a social issue and get involved with that, there will be a community which you can join or start.

Thanks. We are involved with local sports clubs so maybe that's the place to start getting more involved.

I think there are groups that do some ancient traditions too (wassailing, beating the bounds etc). I should look into those.

Thanks for reminding me of these things!

If you have a local folk scene, that might be a place to start with getting contacts for traditional local festivities.

Random ideas..

Charities that have a big event in your area - help out once a year, school fete, join the school board

park runs / sports - do a bit of volunteering

is there an annual arts festival ? help with that. There seem to be loads of regular local festivals now.

The bits of Christianity that mark the year (and are anyway mostly based on earlier belief systems) - harvest festival, Halloween, Christmas, lent, Easter. Go to the Carol concert, egg hunt, collect donations for harvest festival (they’ll go to a food bank) give up something each lent (good for anyone). Bonfire night and Remembrance Sunday also and beating the bounds as you say
If you have a stone circle or anything near you someone is probably doing the pagan year (something every six weeks I think) - you don’t have to be into the woowoo, it’s just a nature connection.

Regular weekends doing anything that connects you with nature locally - wild swimming, helping with volunteering in your local park/forest, forest camp for the kids, picnics and bbqs in the summer. Connection with nature is good for anyone

Choirs, book groups, meditation groups, conservation, park runs

Have somewhere to pin all your ideas up, and turn the ones you fancy into yearly traditions as well as the weekly stuff. It’s a great idea.