I love Brene Brown. She’s a researcher, story-teller, professor, lecturer and author. It’s Brene who tells the story about a village where all the women washed clothes together down by the river. When they all got washing machines, there was a sudden escalation of depression and no one knew why. 

It was the loss of connection. It was the loss of belonging. It was the absence of community.

We’re “fine” we tell ourselves even when in reality we’re depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, lonely or hurting. We’re ‘fine’, we’re ‘busy’, we have ‘no right’ to feel this way, we say when days, weeks, months, and years go by without building connection and friendships. “I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m good, I’m good, I’m good”. It just seems to roll off the tongue even when it may not necessarily be true.

We’ve become so distant and isolated even pre-pandemic and it seems to have just escalated. I know many of you are finding it hard to know how to get back. Some of you feel like you’re clawing your way out of a deep hole. It’s so hard to know how to begin to build the kind of connection and relationships our hearts need in the age we live in. We want to build organic connections rather than manufactured ones but how do you do that in the world today? 

We all have our own washing machines. We don't really depend on each other for much of anything anymore if we're being honest.

They say loneliness is the plague of the 21st century. Being lonely effects the length of our life expectancy ? Don’t freak out, I don’t say that to scare you but to let you know that the longing for community and connection is legit and a necessity for human beings. 

We seem to have treated friendship, community and connection like a luxury for way too long. It’s not a luxury but indeed a necessity to thrive. 

Sure, all the independent women throw your hands up at me as Beyoncé would say, but be an independent woman who understands the value and importance of connecting with other amazing women.

You can do it alone but you don't have to. Friendship, community and connection will take you further than you can ever go alone.

There is magnificent energy and vibrations when women come together and share space, give of themselves, share ideas, struggles, stories and laughter.

Find your people, know the kind of relationships you want to build and find your tribe. Find the sisters who won’t ‘judge’, the souls who’s values align with yours, the people who encourage you to pursue your dreams and share the difficult times as well as the joys and triumphs. The squad or tribe that gets you lit from within! 

I ask myself when thinking about the community I’m building....what can I give? My heart, my vibration, my passion, my energy, my smile, a safe space to let go and be unapologetically ourselves, an ear for listening, tools to help you lead, an environment to gain self confidence, a forum to get ‘unstuck’, social events to embrace and connect on another level. I’m always asking how can I serve better & give more to my sisters. I give what I know I’d like to receive. 

We all deserve the high vibrations, love, support and happiness. 

Manifest it. Take action. Reach out.

Shereen x