A Rabbit Hole into Collectives
I’m Just a Dreamer, Standing in Front of Other Dreamers, Asking to Build Something
You know that feeling when you can’t quite put your finger on what’s wrong? Like when your phone is at 10%, but the charger is just out of reach—and for some reason, you don’t want to get up.
And you know….it’s not really about the phone or the charger.
It’s about something else entirely.
That’s the space I was in today (blehhh)
Overwhelmed, stuck, and restless. My mind, always racing ahead to the future, was throwing me curveballs of "what ifs" and "should I be doing more?"
So, instead of silencing the noise or scrolling endlessly to escape it, I decided to listen.
Not just listen—really hear them out.
Every random thought, every fleeting question. “What if I followed this spark of curiosity instead of brushing it off?” I asked myself. So, I started going down rabbit holes—following one thought after the next like peeling back the layers of an onion.
The Language Barrier Between Heart and Mind
As I explored these thoughts, I noticed a pattern. My heart and body often know what they want long before my brain can catch up.
It’s like trying to explain a craving for your favorite comfort food to someone who doesn’t get it: “I don’t know, it’s just what I need right now.”
This year has been a masterclass in navigating that barrier—figuring out what my body and heart are trying to tell me, then finding the words to communicate it to my logical mind.
That clarity doesn’t just come with ease—it’s like cracking a code.
One of those moments came while exploring the idea of “community.”
I’d been throwing that word around a lot, but every time I tried to dive deeper, it didn’t sit right. Something about it felt... off.
The Dance of Curiosity and Realization
Being back in Atlanta has brought me back to this rhythm I forgot I had—the one where I can spend hours reading, writing, or strategizing simply because it excites me.
It’s a place where I follow sparks of curiosity that eventually lead to answers (hehe)
And here’s what I realized: it wasn’t “community” I was searching for.
It was a collective.
I’d been mislabeling the thing I wanted—a group of dreamers, doers, and thinkers who build together, inspire each other, and make big things happen.
Not a loose network, but a focused group of people working toward a shared purpose.
The Collective Epiphany: Kourtrajmé’s Story
This realization sent me down another rabbit hole, and that’s when I discovered Kourtrajmé, a creative collective from the suburbs of Paris.
Here’s their story:
It started in the 1980s with three friends—Kim, Romain, and Toumani—shooting videos in their neighborhood. They bonded over their love of creativity and called their group Kourtrajmé, slang for “short movie.”
Over the years, their collective grew into a powerhouse of talent across rap, film, photography, and journalism.
What made Kourtrajmé stand out wasn’t just their creativity—it was how they worked together:
Shared Values: They valued aesthetics and authenticity, but never took themselves too seriously.
Complementary Skills: From directors to rappers to photographers, each member brought something unique to the table.
Open Collaboration: Members could move between projects or even join other collectives without losing their connection to Kourtrajmé.
Lifting Others as They Grew: After achieving success, they gave back by creating a school for aspiring filmmakers who couldn’t afford traditional education.
Could This Work for Us?
Reading about Kourtrajmé got me thinking: What if we built something like this for creative entrepreneurs?
We’re all already talking to people, sharing ideas, and collaborating informally.
What if we formalized it?
What if we pooled our skills, resources, and visions to create something transformative?
Imagine:
A Collective of Dreamers: Writers, designers, musicians, strategists, filmmakers—anyone with a creative spark and a desire to make an impact.
Shared Resources: From equipment to funding to networks, we support each other’s work and growth.
Mentorship and Growth: Those with experience guide the newer members, creating a cycle of learning and teaching.
Fluid Collaboration: Members can work on their own projects, collaborate within the group, or connect with other collectives. It’s not about boundaries—it’s about bridges.
Community vs. Collective: The Difference That Matters
So, what is my difference (or loose definition for now)?
Community: It’s about belonging, connection, and shared identity. Like a supportive space where people come together.
Collective: It’s about purpose, action, and co-creation. A collective isn’t just a gathering—it’s a focused group with a mission to build, create, and make change.
It’s where the dreamers who feel that fire inside them come together to create something bigger than themselves.
Thoughts, Questions…Concerns?
We’re all connected, all working toward similar goals, all trying to leave our mark on the world. Why not combine forces?
If this resonates with you, let’s talk. Could we build something like this together?
Share your thoughts, curious to hear any insights you might have :)
‘til next time,
2mannythoughts —— she’s on one today..damn.