You’ll Need Other Women. Women Always Do!

Distinctly recalling an incident here; a few weeks back I was at a shopping mall; unable to shop because there were these 3 kids who were scurrying all around the store creating a total ruckus because they probably discovered that the store was a perfect venue for a game of hide & seek. I kept thinking what kind of individuals allow their children to be so unruly. After about 10 mins of mayhem, one of the parents pulled their offspring by their arm and left the store. That is when it struck me; those kids were actually random stranger kids belonging to different families.

How simple it was for these kids to strike a camaraderie and literally bring the whole store down with their shenanigans in a matter of few minutes while the adults were shopping. This ability to say or communicate, “Will you be my friend?” or “Can we play a game together?” perhaps came so organically to those kids.

We lose this ability as we age. To make friends in an instant.

In the bustling journey of life, we women often find ourselves juggling multiple roles: caregiver, professional, partner, and more, more often displaced from our roots too. Amidst these myriad responsibilities, as the years tumble by, one after another, we gradually come to understand that girlfriends are the mainstays of our lives.The connections we form with other women are not just important; they are essential for our well-being and personal growth. It is not only important to hold on to your childhood friendships; but to make new ones as we go along life. Here’s why friends are invaluable, particularly in a women’s community.

Emotional Support and Understanding

Girlfriends give advice when you ask for it. Sometimes you take it, sometimes you don’t. And girlfriends don’t judge if your life did not turn out exactly as their own. Girlfriends keep your children and keep your secrets. Women often face unique challenges and experiences, from navigating career advancements to managing family dynamics. These friends offer empathy and support that can be a crucial emotional anchor.

Boosting Mental Health

Girlfriends still love you, even when they don’t agree with your choices. Girlfriends laugh with you, and you don’t need canned jokes to start the laughter. Girlfriends help you get out of bad relationships and often drive you to your therapist. Girlfriends also open their homes to you; and yet give you the privacy to just be when you have no other place to go. Simply knowing that someone is there to listen and offer support can make a world of difference, providing a buffer against life’s stresses.

Personal Growth and Empowerment

Girlfriends challenge us to be our best selves. Girlfriends generally help you get your first or next big gig. Girlfriends bring you your comfort food on days when you struggle. Girlfriends come to take over your kitchen if your kids are un-fed because you have been busy. They offer new perspectives, encourage us to step out of our comfort zones, and inspire us to pursue our passions. Through these relationships, we learn more about who we are and who we want to become. This mutual empowerment fosters a sense of confidence and self-worth.

Practical Support

Beyond emotional support, friends often provide practical help. Whether it’s assisting with childcare, offering career advice, or simply being a sounding board for ideas, friends are there to lend a hand. Girlfriends help you look for a new apartment, help you pack, and help you move. Girlfriends will throw a party for your son or daughter when they get married or have a baby, in whichever order that comes! This network of support is particularly important for women, who often balance multiple responsibilities.

A Sense of Belonging

Girlfriends listen when you lose a job or a friend. Girlfriends listen when your parents’ minds and bodies fail. Girlfriends support you when the men in your life let you down, pack up and go. Girlfriends rejoice at what makes you happy, and are ready to go out and kill what makes you unhappy. In a world that can sometimes feel isolating, friends provide a sense of belonging. They are our chosen family, offering acceptance and love without judgment. This sense of community is crucial for our emotional well-being, reinforcing the idea that we are not alone in our journeys.

In my years on the planet, one element stands out as both a lifeline and a source of profound joy—friendship. It is equally vital to invest time and effort in cultivating and nurturing these as we age; also important to make new and more friends.

 

1. Be Present: Make time for your friends.
2. Communicate Openly: Share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly.
3. Celebrate Together: Cheer for your friends. Exaggerate accomplishments.
4. Support Each Other: Offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and words of encouragement.

 

In the tapestry of life, friends are the threads that add color, warmth, and texture. They are the ones who stand by us, cheer for us, and help us navigate the complexities of our lives. For women, these friendships are not just important—they are essential. Time Passes. Skin Wrinkles. Life Happens. Hair Greys. Distance Separates. Love life waxes and wanes. Jobs come & go.. Parents Die. Careers End. Colleagues Forget. A girlfriend is never further than where you need her to hold space for you.

SO, when was the last time you asked someone, “Will you be my friend?”

P.S. – More than 2 decades ago in the era of Yahoo groups I had chanced upon a forwarded email; This piece like my life since then  is in a very big way borrowed from memories of that piece.