It's really lonely to be a team of one.
Some may say that this doesn't have to happen as there are always others out there whether online or offline that may share a strong opinion, cause, or endeavor with you, but sometimes for some of our deepest held concerns and endeavors, we may find ourselves alone.
What does this feel like?
It is very lonely to be a team of one for a passion or cause you feel deeply about. The worst part about this is that if you've had the chance to work on a good team, you know the power that teaming can bring to any situation, and when you are acting on your own, you realize that it is a less powerful position than that of a strong, dynamic team that cheers each other on, collaborates around a shared vision, and maximizes each others' strengths while mitigating each others' weaknesses.
That said--there will be times when you are a team of one for al kinds of reasons. Perhaps you noticed the issue first. This happens often when families face unusual illnesses and circumstances with children. We often read stories about families like this whose initial, lonely quest to care for their children leads to a movement that improves lives for families and children all over the world. You can be a team of one because of distance, scheduling, and experience too. Perhaps, no one is on your team because others interested in the cause are distanced far away from you or their schedules are too tight and their experience with regard to helping is too little. Of course there is the differential related to urgency too--some may feel your cause is not that urgent or important, they may think you're exaggerating the need. And there's a differential with expectations--your expectations for the team members may be too high and unreasonable thus leaving you in the situation alone. Whatever the reason, it's true that sometimes you will be a team of one, and you'll have to reckon with the lonesomeness that brings with it.
What can you do about this?
First, reach out and find a group of similarly-interested people. A friend of mine did that long ago when she reached out to Al-Anon to help her cope with the experience of living with family members with alcohol addiction. There are groups like that related to almost every life circumstance. They are there to make your team-of-one situations, less lonely, more collaborative, and more informed too.
Next, take a look at how you're managing this team? Are you pushing people away or bringing people in? What can you do to make the situation more collaborative and expand the team-of-one to a team-of-many?
Reconsider what's happening too--is this cause worth it? If so, you may simply have to endure the early birthing pains of an important movement or cause.
Sometimes we will be a team-of-one, and that requires some good reflection as to how to endure this situation and move it forward to more collaborative, less-lonely efforts. Onward.