Last Updated on October 14, 2024 by Fadra Nally
Truth be told, I usually write these posts on Saturday night so I’m prepared for the link up on Sunday morning. I do keep telling myself that I should write my 5 minutes when the mood strikes and just save it to post on Sunday. Instead, I scrambled out of a near slumber to get this one written and I’m glad I did.
—
What a week. Good, bad, ups, downs. I suppose we have that every week in a way. But this week the ups were a little higher and the downs were a little lower but I did end the week on a good note: celebrating my baby’s 8th birthday!
Shortly before that, I attended an event I helped manage for SheBuysCars. We brought in many women influencers from the DC area to basically hang out, learn a few things about cars, and have a little fun. And it wasn’t until today that I really reflected on that event and who I’ve become.
I’ve become a friend to women. Maybe that sounds weird to you but all my life I’ve always felt more comfortable as one of the guys. I didn’t relish feminine attention, tried to hide my curves, and always wanted to show that if a boy could do it, so could I. I definitely marched to the beat of my own drum and I mostly liked it. But it didn’t gain me a lot of women friends.
In fact, a few years ago I wrote a post about never having a best friend. The truth is that I’m okay without that ONE friend because I’ve become a friend to so many. It seems almost as if the entry into motherhood was really entry into a sisterhood – the one that defines us unmistakably as women.
Since becoming a mom and since working in a female-dominated space (unlike every single profession I’ve been in until this one), I’ve learned who to avoid but also who to embrace and trust and giggle with. I get what girls nights out are all about and I understood the joy of shopping with another woman.
I still like to do guy things and I still enjoy plenty of solitude (especially when shopping) but the older I get the more I realize how awesome women can be and how happy I am to be part of this sisterhood.
I really get you. I prefer my solitude but the girl occasions that I’ve had have been so wonderful. I’m not a shopper all by myself but it is so much more fun with company. When I lived in Florida a few woman of the office I worked in would have a monthly girls night out. It really was fun. One of my talkative neighbors wants me to call her when I’m going for a walk. She won’t give up on me but that is my time and I just can’t share it. Perhaps I ought to tell her that instead of avoiding walking by her house 😉
I think for so long I was afraid to enjoy being a woman because I almost saw it as a weakness. And other women intimidated me and made me feel insecure. Perhaps now that I’m older and more secure, I enjoy and embrace the company of other women.
Kenya mentioned to me you started a SOC link. So I’m joining in before I hop out of my car to run. I get marching to your own beat. I always have too. Though it has made me feel like an outsider at times — I’ve never considered not being different. Maybe that’s why I come to these races and feel okay about spending so much time by myself. Have a great week.
But if you didn’t head to conferences .. when would I see you gorgeous? 😉
Solitude is an AMAZING thing. In fact, I think the world would be a better place if we all spent more quiet time reflecting. And it would make the time we spent with each other that much more meaningful.
Love this … and you have become quite a social little girl friend in the years that I have known you … and I am thankful for that xxxx
After every conference, I collapse and retreat at home. I love to socialize but it zaps me of all my energy and I definitely need my own time to recharge. Maybe it’s really the best of both worlds!
I like solitude a lot, and girl company, but as for shopping? I enjoy doing that alone. I am much more of a buyer than a browser! While I’ve always had good girlfriends, my job before motherhood, well during too, was in a male dominated industry so I get what you’re saying. I needed to blend. Nothing like girlfriend time, or boyfriend time either. I think we need both! Thanks for bringing SOC back!
I will say that I generally prefer shopping alone. It’s actually therapeutic for me. But I’m comfortable going shopping with a girlfriend if I know them really well. I like to take my time and linger and have no set agenda so as long as someone is down with that, it will work!
My first SOC Sunday! Yay me!
Off to read. Thanks for joining in!