An article in Fortune magazine last year claimed that 53% of women in leadership roles in the workplace experience loneliness.
The Harvard School of Education released a report during the pandemic stating that 36% of adults were experiencing “serious loneliness.”
I participate in several moms groups on Facebook, and I’m always so saddened by the posts of moms (especially single moms) who feel they have little to no support.
We are craving connection.
We are craving community.
We are craving emotional support.
But even for people who do have friend groups, even those relationships are changing.
I’ve talked with several friends, colleagues and clients who say that they’ve stepped away from their old groups because they just don’t feel they belong anymore.
These women want deeper connections.
They want authentic conversations.
They desire empathy, compassion and witnessing.
I have been extremely fortunate in my life to have had dozens of circles of women over my five decades on the planet, to walk with me on this journey. Book clubs, Zumba groups, networking groups, mom friends, college friends, spiritual friends, speaker friends, coach friends…. You name it, I’ve been blessed by it. (Maybe it’s because I have Uranus in Libra in my 11th house?!)
But I’m keenly aware that’s not everyone’s experience.
If you are seeking a circle of women, here a few simple things to ask yourself:
- What do you love to do? Go do that and you’ll find like-minded people. Like to hike? Join an outdoors group. Adore classical music? Volunteer at your local symphony. Enjoy gardening? Join the local garden club.
- What do you want to learn about? Take a class or a workshop and find other curious people. Try an art class, a dance class, or learn more about your community at your local Chamber.
- Who do you need to meet professionally? Identify networking opportunities in your industry or in your community. If you’re an entrepreneur, join your local Chamber. If you’re working in a corporation, find a special interest group that sparks your interest.
- Feeling the need to give back to your community? Volunteer! It could be at your kid’s school, at the local Rotary club or working with a local group to feed the hungry or help the homeless in your city.
- Do you love to read? Join a book club! You can find one at your local library or ask your neighbors if they know of any local book clubs.
- Say “yes” to invitations. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and stay at home in the evenings after you’ve had a busy day at work. But spending time with people from time to time can energize you and help you feel more connected. If someone invites you to a gathering, say YES! as often as you can.
- Seeking authentic conversations? Join a women’s circle or support group. These are usually places where everyone gets a chance to talk, to be heard and to be held. With the right facilitator, these groups can be life changing to participate in.
In my upcoming Solid Ground women’s group, I’m specifically inviting people who are navigating through challenging times, facing storms of grief, loss, and change.
We will work intimately with the four concepts of Grief, Grit, Gratitude and Grace combining practical wisdom with spiritual insights for healing and transformation.
We start next week on March 13th. Won’t you join us?
Schedule a conversation with me to see if it’s the right fit for you at this time.
Click here are more specifics about the Solid Ground program.