T-MAP - Community & Communication Map

This text is an archive

This text comes from the Google Doc of T-MAPS, you can find them all on their website.

Purpose of this map

Strengthening Relationships for the Fight Ahead

This map is designed to help you reflect on the people in your life, how you communicate, and what you need to feel grounded and connected in this moment of uncertainty and global change. Building resilient relationships is part of how we survive—and how we thrive.

Use this map to get honest about:

• Who’s in your corner
• Where trust and connection already exist
• What communication patterns help (and harm)
• How you want to show up in your relationships
• What support you need to keep going

Reflection Questions

• Who are the people I trust to show up when things get hard?
• What communication habits help me feel heard and supported?
• Where do I feel tension, distance, or confusion in my relationships?
• What kind of support do I need right now—and who might be able to offer it?
• How can I better show up for others in ways that align with my values?

Here are five example responses for each of the reflection questions from the T-MAPs: Community & Communication Map. You can use these as sample prompts or include them in the document to spark ideas:

Who are the people I trust to show up when things get hard?

1. My friend Jordan—always checks in and listens without judgment.
2. My sister, especially when I need practical help like childcare or errands.
3. A longtime therapist who understands my story and reminds me of my growth.
4. A comrade in my organizing collective who knows what burnout looks like and isn’t afraid to name it.
5. My neighbor who always notices when I’ve gone quiet and brings me a meal.

What communication habits help me feel heard and supported?

1. When people reflect back what I’ve said before offering advice.
2. When someone asks me directly, “Do you want support or just to vent?”
3. Consistent check-ins, even short ones—texts that say “thinking of you” go a long way.
4. Nonjudgmental tone, especially when I’m talking about something I feel ashamed of.
5. Sharing silence together when there are no easy answers.

Where do I feel tension, distance, or confusion in my relationships?

1. With an old friend who’s been avoiding deep conversation since my crisis.
2. In my activist group when decisions get made without transparency.
3. With a family member who dismisses my mental health challenges.
4. In a newer friendship where I’m not sure if I can ask for support yet.
5. With a mentor I respect but who sometimes talks over me.

What kind of support do I need right now—and who might be able to offer it?

1. Help setting boundaries around my time—my friend Ayesha is great at this.
2. A space to talk through grief—I might ask my community circle to hold a listening session.
3. Practical help organizing childcare—I could reach out to the mutual aid group.
4. Encouragement to slow down and rest—my friend Diego is always reminding me it’s okay.
5. Support writing my T-MAP—maybe I can invite someone to fill theirs out with me.

How can I better show up for others in ways that align with my values?

1. Reach out even when I don’t know what to say—silence can feel like abandonment.
2. Listen without jumping in to fix or give advice.
3. Follow through on small commitments—reliability builds trust.
4. Be honest when I’m not available, instead of ghosting.
5. Make space for joy and celebration, not just survival.

This work matters

We don’t build resilient communities by accident—we build them with intention, care, and practice. When you take the time to reflect on your relationships and name what you need, you’re doing more than just helping yourself—you’re modeling a different way of being. You’re saying that connection is worth fighting for, that vulnerability is a strength, and that mutual support is a strategy for survival. In a time when so much is uncertain, this kind of clarity and courage is a radical act. Keep going. You’re not alone.