Where I Come From: A Living, Breathing Community

I grew up in Austria, in a little family village - four houses, all relatives. We shared gardens, meals, and the woods behind our houses. Ten or more cousins roamed freely from backyard to forest, inventing games, pushing boundaries, and learning from one another.

It wasn’t perfect. There were pecking orders, unsupervised mischief, and moments of painful exclusion. But what stayed with me was the belonging, knowing I was part of something larger than myself.

Science Snapshot: Why Intergenerational Community Matters

• Better mental health: Elders in intergenerational settings show lower rates of depression and cognitive decline (Generations United, 2021).

• Stronger social skills: Children who regularly interact with older generations develop more empathy and cooperation skills.

• Increased resilience: Middle-aged adults report feeling less isolated and more supported in caregiving and personal challenges.

• Nature boosts the bond: Studies in Ecopsychology show that being outdoors together reduces stress, improves mood, and strengthens social ties.

How Intergenerational Living Shapes Us
Research shows that intergenerational communities, where people of different ages live, work, and play together can increase resilience, reduce loneliness, and improve mental health for both younger and older members.

The Role of Nature
Nature amplifies these benefits. Ecopsychology research has shown that spending time outdoors reduces stress, improves mood, and strengthens social bonds. When community life happens in natural settings: gardens, walking trails, shared green spaces, relationships often deepen. There’s something about being in nature together that quiets comparison and invites curiosity.

What We’ve Lost, and What We Can Rebuild

When I moved to the United States, I felt the contrast immediately. Life was more compartmentalized; children in one place, seniors in another, work life separate from community life. While specialized spaces have their benefits, they can also strip away the rich cross-pollination of ideas, skills, and care that happens when generations overlap naturally.

Today, many of us live far from family, work long hours, and rely on digital connections more than face-to-face ones. The result? Record levels of loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General has even called it an “epidemic of disconnection.”

This month, I’ll be exploring how to weave intergenerational connection back into our lives - whether for a week at a retreat, in your neighborhood, or through a chosen “family” you create.

We’re not meant to go it alone.

Let’s walk together.

In Roots and Realness,
Karin