The Power of Having a Tribe: Friends Who Feel Like Family
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1/24/20247 min read
Motivation
Having friends who genuinely care about our success and well-being is priceless. When they are also a powerful source of motivation, there's no limit to what you can achieve. They are the ones who push us to reach our goals, cheer us on when we face obstacles, and celebrate our victories. They're also the ones who challenge us to go just a little further, even if it's out of our comfort zone.
Katy is definitely one of my biggest motivators. She's fearless, strong, and always seems to fuel my competitive side. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. She's the Goose to my Maverick and my favorite corn-hole partner. As a fellow Enneagram 3 we also have a lot in common personality-wise, so we make a great team! Katy's youngest child, and only girl, inspired her to start her own brand of girl's accessories and she is killing it! (Here is a link to her Etsy page if you want to check it out! BrynniesSunnies - Etsy). I probably wouldn't have even thought about starting an online presence if it wasn't for seeing her chasing those goals. It motivated me to do the same! Who you are is directly linked to who you surround yourself with. They shape the way you think, your personality, and how you look at the world. Make sure you've got someone who motivates you in there!
Encouragement
Whether it's a career aspiration, a fitness goal, or a personal dream, having someone there to remind us of our capabilities and to provide the necessary encouragement when self-doubt creeps in is SO important. They believe in us when we struggle to believe in ourselves, and their belief becomes a driving force that propels us forward.
We all need a personal cheerleader in our lives. Mine is Nicole. When I don't feel like I can do something, she's right there with faith in abundance! She has shown me what it truly means to persevere, and I can always count on her to lift me up and encourage me to keep going, even when I want to give up. Her consistency in everything she does is praiseworthy. She is the number one reason I've succeeded on the fitness journey I started 4 years ago. When I finally reached my goal and was so happy, I cried, she was the one hugging me saying, "I knew you could do it." I can say with certainty that I would not have come this far without her, and I am so blessed to have someone in my life who believes in me as much as she does. Go get yourself a cheerleader and hang onto them, we all need someone in our corner we can count on!
Inspiration
A friend who inspires us is a treasure beyond measure. They are the ones who lead by example, showing us what is possible and encouraging us to chase our dreams. Their stories of success, resilience, determination, and personal growth ignite a fire within us, inspiring us to take risks, step out of our comfort zones, and pursue our passions. And let's face it, nothing great happened without a little inspiration first!
When a friend tells you, "It'll be fun!", they're usually talking about an event, a girl's weekend, or a mani-pedi excursion. Nicole is normally referring to an ultra-marathon, a 4-day backpacking trip through ice, wind, and snow, or climbing to the summit of a 10,300ft mountain. She has talked me into one of these things so far, but best believe she's working on getting me to do the rest of them. To put it simply, she is a special human being. She is constantly proving that big dreams are attainable if you have the drive and determination to go get them. She has completed countless marathons, one of which being in Boston, and I was jumping up and down on Heartbreak Hill cheering her on. She's tackling a 100-mile race in April, so stay tuned because I may need to make a separate post about her training journey. Life is tough, but she's tougher, and so are you.
Validation
Moreover, our tribe is there to validate our feelings, experiences, and choices. They provide a safe space where we can be vulnerable and authentic without fear of judgment. Their understanding and empathy remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and that our emotions are valid. Their validation boosts our self-esteem and helps us navigate through life's challenges with greater confidence.
If ever I'm struggling with an emotion, or situation that I can't work through, I go to Jessica. She is the first one to say "It's ok you feel that way, and here's why..." I'm sure you've seen the reel that says, "I need you, wear a costume, don't ask questions," then a giant inflated dinosaur comes running around the corner. Whenever I see that I think of her, minus the dinosaur. She would be there 100% of the time because whatever it is that I'm feeling has value, and it is legitimate whether it's reasonable or not. And if it's not, she's able to gently offer a different perspective. She's also someone I can count on to give me the hard truths and we need more people like that in this world! Being around her fills my cup, (or my mimosa), and I hope that you can find someone who does this for you too. You are enough, even if you need to be reminded of that sometimes.
Support
Life can be unpredictable, and during those turbulent times, having friends who support us becomes invaluable. They are the ones who lend a helping hand, offer a listening ear, and provide a shoulder to lean on. Whether we need advice, a sounding board, or practical assistance, with their unwavering support, we find the strength and determination to keep going, even when the going gets tough.
Having a loyal friend who you can count on to have your back is indispensable. While I know all my friends would support me, Myra is the one who's always there offering a big hug if something goes wrong, letting me vent or complain and just listening, offering to take the girls for a sleepover, or just generally giving me that mom-like phrase, "It's going to be ok." or "Way to go! I'm proud of you." Being an enneagram 6, she's also the one reminding me to take a step back and reevaluate before I jump into the deep end, which has been of service to me on more than one occasion! Let's face it, enneagram 6's are probably keeping us all alive. (If you're interested to know what your Enneagram type is, check out this book on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3vHLNjI )
Grounding
Furthermore, our tribe helps to ground us and keep us rooted in reality. They provide a perspective outside of our own, challenging our assumptions and helping us see situations from different angles. Their honest feedback keeps us grounded and prevents us from getting lost in our own thoughts or emotions.
When someone says, "the in-laws", it usually has a negative stigma attached to it. Not in my case! Not only did I hit the mother and father-in-law jackpot, but the sister-in-law one as well. Kristin is sensible and reasonable, and she understands the importance of the simple things in life. In a world of more, more, more, she would rather focus on her home and family. We could all take a page out of this book! She has solid morals, values, and the ability to stay calm and connected to the core of who she is. She constantly shows me that it's ok to slow down and take things one step at a time so you're staying present and not sacrificing those special moments with family. If you're a mom, I'm sure you've realized that if you blink, those moments are gone. It's essential to have someone in your life that will remind you of the things that truly matter.
Enriching Our Lives
Having a tribe of people who feel like family enriches our lives in countless ways. They bring joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging that is irreplaceable. Their presence fills our days with meaningful connections, shared experiences, and cherished memories. Our tribe becomes our chosen family, a support system that goes beyond blood ties. They are the ones we turn to in times of celebration and in times of sorrow. They celebrate our successes, lend a listening ear during our failures, and provide a comforting presence during our darkest moments. Not only that, but they also expand our horizons by exposing us to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities. They introduce us to new hobbies, interests, and experiences that we may have never discovered on our own. They challenge us to grow, learn, and evolve into the best versions of ourselves. The six women I've described aren't the end of my tribe. I'm blessed to be surrounded by many women who enhance my life in various different ways.
In a world that can sometimes feel lonely and disconnected, having a group of friends who feel like family is a true gift. They are the ones who motivate, encourage, inspire, validate, support, and ground us. They enrich our lives in ways that are immeasurable and remind us of the power of human connection. So, hold your tribe close and cherish the bonds you have created. Nurture these relationships, invest time and effort into them, and be there for each other through the ups and downs of life. Together, you can create a community that not only stands strong but also uplifts and empowers each member to thrive. Who knows, maybe' you too will live to 100.
Life is a journey that becomes much more fulfilling when we have a group of friends who feel like family by our side. These are the people who motivate, encourage, inspire, validate, support, and ground us. They are the ones who bring joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging to our lives. I recently watched a series on Netflix called "Live to 100- Secrets of the Blue Zones". It discusses the different places of the world that have the highest percentage of centenarians, (a person who is 100+ years old). These cultures have a few things in common like daily movement, healthy diets, etc. But what resonated with me the most was they all seemed to make it a high priority to have a strong sense of community. We weren't put on this earth to keep to ourselves. In this blog post, I will explore the power of having a tribe, introduce you to mine, and explain how they can enrich our lives in ways we may not even realize.