The North Collective: A Space to Come As You Are

If there’s one thing the past few years have shown us, it’s this: community isn’t optional. It’s essential. As we advance in our careers and in our lives, our circles often narrow without us even noticing. We become experts, leaders, caretakers, decision-makers… roles that make us capable but can also make us isolated.

According to a 2023 Surgeon General’s report, over half of U.S. adults report feeling lonely on a regular basis. And loneliness isn’t just an emotional state; it has measurable health impacts comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This reality is what makes intentional gathering so important. Not networking; not performing; not showing up to “sell” anything.

Just showing up.

That’s the heart of The North Collective.

A Space for Real People, Not Performances

In creative circles, entrepreneurial circles, and community spaces alike, we often feel pressure to arrive as the most polished version of ourselves. We’re used to introducing our titles first, our humanity second. But the conversations that nourish us rarely start with résumés. They start with a shared story, a laugh, a moment of vulnerability, or the relief of simply being seen.

The North Collective was created to be that rare kind of space:

• A come-as-you-are environment

• A night where nobody is “on”

• A room where people can share ideas, talk about their creative practice, or just connect as humans

No pitching, no pressure, no icebreakers disguised as networking prompts. Just being.

How The North Collective Came to Be

Earlier this summer, I (Jessica Watson) was talking with photographer and dear friend John Waire. We found ourselves circling around the same observation: So many of our friends and collaborators are craving community, and so many of us don’t know where to find it.

John is often behind the camera. I’m often in host mode. Both of us are deeply connected to Baltimore’s creative and entrepreneurial fabric, but even we find it hard to slow down and simply be part of the room.

So we dreamed up something simple:

What if we created a monthly gathering where nobody had to be anything other than themselves?
What if the environment wasn’t about producing, performing, or achieving—but about presence, curiosity, conversation, and connection?

That evening became The North Collective.

Why We’re Keeping It Casual (and Delightfully Analog)

Most events today require a sign-up, a ticket, a digital confirmation, and a cascade of reminder emails. It’s efficient, sure, but it also introduces subtle pressure. Suddenly, showing up becomes a commitment, an appointment, another thing on the calendar that asks you to prepare. We wanted the opposite. That’s why The North Collective is intentionally casual and delightfully analog. No Eventbrite, no RSVP form, no branded registration flow. Just a simple invitation, a date, a time, and an open door. Keeping it low-pressure makes showing up easier and honors the kind of spontaneity that real connection thrives on. It keeps the vibe intimate and human, and it allows people to join because they genuinely want to, not because they registered weeks ago. Community flourishes when it feels organic, not transactional, and that’s exactly the spirit we’re committed to preserving.

Join Us for the Next One

The North Collective meets every third Wednesday of the month at North, our loft space in Baltimore.
The next gathering is on:

📅 Wednesday, December 17th
🕗 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 North in Highlandtown
💬 No sign-up required. Just show up.

Bring your curiosity; bring a book to swap if you want. Hey, you can even bring a friend.
Or just bring yourself. Truly, that’s enough.

Because community doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as a room, a conversation, and the relief of knowing you’re not doing this life alone.

We hope to see you there.

References:

Vivek Murthy’s 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” states that “lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”