In late October, I wrote about the “micro-civics” of the porch light — how the simple ritual of Halloween serves as a training ground for trust. Since then, we have entered the heart of a season defined by light and gathering. Whether it was the candles of Hanukkah, the “feats of strength” at a Festivus dinner, the communal warmth of Christmas or the principled reflections of Kwanzaa, we have spent the last month practicing the art of being together.

Soon, the vibrant traditions of Tet and the shared reset of the New Year will offer us a fresh start.

But as the decorations come down, a dangerous silence often returns to our neighborhoods. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory, we are living through an “Epidemic of Loneliness” that is as physically damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. When we lose social connection, we lose the empathy required to maintain a self-governing society.

If we want to save our republic in 2026, our New Year’s resolution cannot just be about the gym. It must be about our “civic muscle.”

The three layers of belonging in the public square

To heal, we must bridge the gap between our private celebrations and our public institutions.

1. The Micro-Level: The Porch (The Spark) — This is the “Minnesota Nice” we know well — the silent agreement of “neighborly shoveling” after a clipper sweeps through. Sociologists call this bonding “social capital.” It’s the spark that humanizes the person next door, proving they are a neighbor before they are a “political opponent.”

2. The Meso-Level: The Library and the Concert (The Bridge) — This is the “Third Space,” where neighborliness matures into citizenship. Think of the “Annual Old Timer’s Snowmobile Run” put on by the Midnight Riders in Lake Park, or strangers engaging with one another during the “Great Northern Festival” in Minneapolis. These spaces rely on propinquity — physical proximity— to break down digital caricatures. When we share a library or a concert hall, we are practicing bridging social capital, the “sociological WD-40” that allows a diverse society to function.

3. The Macro-Level: The Civic Commons (The Shield) — As Ariel Zwang recently noted in Time, these “civic commons” are the infrastructure of our resilience. When we know each other’s names (micro) and share a community center (meso), we develop collective efficacy — the shared belief that we can solve problems. This is where democracy is protected.

A resolution for the 2026 bonding session

This coming year is a “bonding year” at the Minnesota Legislature, where the focus shifts to the literal infrastructure of our state. This is the perfect time to move from being a resident to being an advocate. Democracy isn’t just about the ballot box; it’s about the “bonding” of our communities.

Our 2026 civic resolution:

• January: The Deep Freeze Check-in — Shovel the sidewalk or the fire hydrant for the neighbor you haven’t met. Learn two new names on your block.
• February: The Meso-Level Bridge — Attend a public event. Go to a library celebration, sit in the glow of a candlelight concert, or take a community education workshop.
• March: The Town Square — Participate in your local precinct caucus. More importantly, schedule a meeting with your state senator and representative. As they prepare for the “bonding bill,” in the upcoming legislative session, tell them why the local bridge, the library renovation, or the trail project in your district is the essential infrastructure of your community’s soul.

Democracy is a muscle. You build it on your porch, you flex it at the library, and you save it when you look your legislator in the eye and speak for your neighborhood. This New Year, let’s keep the lights on — not just on our porches, but in our public squares.

Bonus: talking points for meeting with legislators

• Be a neighbor, not a lobbyist — Start by telling them where you live. Mentioning your neighborhood builds immediate rapport.
• Focus on the “why” — Don’t just ask for money for a project; tell them how that project (like a library or community center) helps people in your town connect.
• Follow up — Send a simple “thank you” email after your meeting. It makes you a memorable constituent.

Aaron Wittnebel is a member of the Red Lake Nation and resides in rural Becker County. He serves on the state’s Council on Mental Health. He is a former legislative aide with the Minnesota House to both parties. He is also both a former political party leader and mayor. He has worked to improve the quality of life for those living in rural and tribal communities throughout Greater Minnesota, serving on various state boards concerning policy and oversight of human services and health care.

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