Who’s there for you when life gets hard? Who do you celebrate with in the good times? And where could your relationships use a little extra care? Today, we’re talking about your circles of community—your inner, middle, and outer layers and my goal is that you’ll walk away with a clear picture of where your energy is going and where it might need to go next. Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get started!
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Family Budget Worksheet
- Join the Financial Fix Up Membership
- Grab the FREE Circles of Community Worksheet
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #54: Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Starting Strong
- #53: How to Stretch a Dollar and Save More This Year
- #32: How to Have Stress-Free Money Conversations with Family
- #10: How to Avoid the Comparison Trap with Your Finances
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How to Define Your Circles of Community
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and today I’m thrilled to start a 5-Day Community Building Challenge with you!
So, why is this challenge important? Let’s face it—life is busy. Between work, family commitments, and just trying to get through the day, it can feel almost impossible to invest in meaningful relationships. But here’s the thing: community matters. It’s what supports us, refreshes us, and reminds us we’re not in this alone.
Over the next five days, we’re going to take small but powerful steps to build and strengthen your community ties. So, as part of this challenge, we’re going to define your circles of community, identify gaps and explore where you need more connection, take intentional action to engage with others, focus on building community as a family, and then we’ll wrap the whole thing up on Friday by talking about how to keep these connections sustainable, even on a budget.
Now that might sound like a lot, but I want to reassure you that this isn’t about overwhelming yourself or adding more to your to-do list. It’s about creating a community that feels life-giving, not draining, and building it in a way that works for your unique situation.
So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re on the outside looking in, or you just want to be more intentional about the people in your life, this challenge is for you.
Now I do have a FREE worksheet for you to use as we move through this challenge, so if that’s something that interests you, you can grab it by heading to lemonblessings.com/circles. I’ll also link to it in the show notes as well. If not, make sure to grab a piece of paper and a pen and let’s just jump right in.
And today we are going to use that worksheet and use it to define the inner, middle, and outer circles of your community. And this is a big step forward because when you understand where your energy goes, you’re already on your way to building a more intentional and meaningful community. So let’s just jump right in.
Step #1: Start with Your Inner Circle of Community
The first step int his process is identifying your inner circle—your core people. These are the ones you say yes to almost without hesitation because they refresh you and bring life to your hardest days.
Who belongs in this circle?
- It might be your best friend or a close family member.
- It could even be someone you feel called to mentor or support.
The key here is to keep this group small—two or three people, couples, or families. Why? Because these relationships require your time, energy, and heart. For me, three is the most I can handle. I love hosting people for food and drinks, but there are only so many weekend nights to make that happen!
It can be hard to narrow it down, but it’s worth it. Even Jesus had an inner circle—his closest disciples whom he trusted and rested with. This isn’t about excluding others; it’s about being intentional so you can give your best to the relationships that matter most.”
Action Step for Inner Circle:
If you’re using my Circles of Community worksheet, you’ll already have the circles ready to go for you, but if not, create three nested circles. So the center circle will be small, the middle circle will be a little larger, and then the third circle, the outer circle, will be large. Then, write down two or three people or families who bring joy and encouragement into your life and reflect on how you can nurture these relationships in the weeks to come. We’ll be doing a bit more reflection as we walk through the rest of the challenge, but for now, it’s a good thing to get started thinking about.
Step #2: Move on to the Middle Circle of Community
Next is the middle circle—what I like to call the ‘say yes most of the time’ group. These are people you care about and want to make time for, but not at the expense of your inner circle or family time.
This circle might include:
- Extended family members with healthy relationships.
- Close friends who didn’t quite make the inner circle.
- Maybe even coworkers or people you connect with regularly.
The challenge with this group is setting boundaries. If you’re anything like me, you love saying yes, but saying yes too often can leave you feeling stretched thin. That’s why it’s so important to have a plan for when to say no—so you can rest and recharge.
Saying no doesn’t mean you don’t care. It simply means you’re being intentional about your energy so you can show up fully when you do say yes.
Action Step for Middle Circle:
Take a moment to list the people in your middle circle. Then, think about one way you can set healthy boundaries to keep this group manageable and life-giving.
Step #3: Understand the Outer Circle of Community
Finally, let’s talk about the outer circle. This one can be tough, but it’s important to recognize. The outer circle is made up of people or commitments you almost always say no to.
Here’s the key: these aren’t people you’re cutting out of your life. Instead, these are relationships or commitments that might not fit into your current season or that consistently drain your energy.
For example, this might include:
- Relationships that feel one-sided or unhealthy.
- Commitments that are outside your priorities right now.
- People who already have a strong support system and don’t truly need your time or energy.
It’s not easy to set boundaries like this, but it’s often necessary to protect your well-being. And remember, most people in your outer circle won’t even know they’re there! It’s simply a way for you to manage your time and energy more effectively.
Action Step for Outer Circle:
Write down any people or commitments that belong in this circle. Then reflect on how setting boundaries with this group can create space for healthier, more fulfilling connections.
How Did You Define Your Circles of Community?
That’s it for Day 1 of the 5-Day Community Building Challenge!
Your challenge for today is simple: grab a piece of paper, draw three concentric circles, and fill them in with the people in your life. Think about your inner circle—those who refresh you and support you no matter what. Consider your middle circle, those important connections you say yes to most of the time. And don’t forget your outer circle, where you may need to set boundaries to protect your energy.
Tomorrow, we’ll take this one step further by identifying any gaps in your circles and exploring how to create more balance. Whether that’s reconnecting with someone or opening up to new opportunities, we’ll make it practical and doable—so don’t miss it!
If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone who might benefit or leave a review. Not only does it give me a chance to hear from you, but it also helps others find the podcast, too!
Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!
