7 Reasons All Women Should Be Part of a Women's Circle
Do you need quiet time to just be? More than ever, women are seeking structures that support their growth, mental and physical well-being, and life success altogether. Because if there's one word to sum up these times we’re living in, it's this: Disruption.
We’re not through this pandemic yet. During these times, new conversations about inclusion and unity have also emerged with global movements like Black Lives Matters and the Me Too movement. Pair these shifts with how the acceleration of technology shapes everything we do, and it becomes very easy to get cognitively overloaded.
So it’s no surprise that more women are waking up to the fact they need to create a safe space for themselves to share, heal and grow. Women’s circles give women an accountability structure to do this all-important introspective work. It is done in a non-judgmental environment where each woman gains more self-confidence, worthiness, and clarity about her life through her sisters' wisdom and support.
Uncover Your Unique Gifts, Unlock Your Power and Gain the Courage to Live Your Dream Life Through a Women’s Circle
Being part of a women’s circle isn’t just a way to connect with females to build healthy bonds with gal pals. A woman’s circle is a community that offers sisters immunity from the struggles in life. In circle, women release (versus suppress) their ideas, emotions, and beliefs that hold them back. They gain clarity, self-appreciation, and awaken to the vibrant leaders that they indeed are. Once this happens, wild dreams are easily achieved. I know this from experience. Today as a Global Sisterhood trained facilitator, I lead circles and see this time and time again. Though, it’s also what happened to me.
When I turned 40, I remembered how powerful it is to be part of a women’s circle. It was a structure I’d forgotten the value of during my thirties. But when I arrived at that age, I thought, “Is this it?”
As soon as I reached mid-life I found that no amount of HGTV binge watching, taking on more extracurriculars at work, not even doubling down on the daily Downward Dogs, was enough to distract me from my distressing inner chatter. It was strange because my life was finally the well-ironed system I wanted it to be in my late twenties and thirties. I’ve found that these “is this it” thoughts are a common reason women are drawn to join a circle. And it happens at all ages. Women in their late twenties, thirties, and into their fifties and beyond are joining circles too.
The good news about the period of growth I went through was it had me reconnect to my formative years when women communities were pretty much all I knew. Early on, I learned firsthand how powerful it is when women come together.
My father died suddenly when I was 14, so my home became a four-female troupe. I also went to an all-girls high school that amalgamated with a boys’ school in my final year. Again, my world changed overnight. I kid you not, the moment boys entered our school, mirrors went up in every locker, and my strong sisters stopped participating in group discussions. There was even a fight over a boy on the first day.
These early experiences taught me what many women don’t know: Women tap into a superhuman level of unstoppability when they have the support of a community of sisters.
With this as my truth, I sought out support from Global Sisterhood. I joined its Circle Initiation Program so I could train to facilitate circles and counsel women. And I remembered that although we are strong as individuals, we are unstoppable as a collective. I learned that the world needs balance. I believe that balance is us.
Here are seven reasons why every woman should be part of women’s circle:
1) Grow into your true self in a judgment-free space
When was the last time you shared your truth and felt heard, not judged? Creating a judgment-free environment is an agreement that women must adhere as a primary tenet in most circles.
When women gather in circle, they are trained to simply listen when a woman is sharing. They are invited to nod their head, hear her, but also honour when it’s not their turn to speak. Women are asked not to offer solutions, even if they think they have the answer. And also, if they feel triggered by what is being shared, they honor the experience as their own. The beauty of circle is that all women can quietly work through their own experience while another woman is speaking. This structure is known as breakthrough centered sharing.
A circle is meant to be a place where women of all ages, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, and ethnicities feel a sense of belonging. Women are required to practice acceptance by welcoming diverse points of view and considering cultural differences.
2. Learn to let go of beliefs that no longer serve you
Shout out to Lauren and Shaina for sharing their knowledge on the power of breakthrough centered sharing. It is one tool I use and strongly encourage participants of Ignite in Circle to use while we are together in circle.
Circle offers women a place to share vulnerably. When you share openly, even saying things you’ve never said out loud or admitted to yourself you begin to heal old wounds in a healthy, safe way. Breakthrough centered sharing is one of the most effective structures for releasing what no longer serves you. When you dig deep and let go, you create space for new solutions, new thought patterns, and you begin to dream soulfully again.
3. Experience the Gift of Listening
Let’s talk about the art of listening. In circle you will learn to be a better listener by remaining attentive and quiet when women are sharing. This means you are emotionally, physically, and mentally present. As you travel her journey with her, she feels heard and that, my strong sisters, is what so many of us need. It is when we are heard that we often begin our own healing journey.
Deep listening also gives you a significant social edge that extends to all your personal and professional relationships. While we live in the most fruitful times of knowledge sharing and connected communication, research shows that the influx of information and constantly checking our smartphones, is corroding our ability to listen.
When you slow down and begin to hear again, you’ll realize how much joy, play, and ease you’ve been missing in life.
4. Celebrate Being Women
Being a woman isn’t easy. There’s no how-to manual given at birth. Women learn best from each other. It feels like coming home to yourself when you spend time with other women simply celebrating what it means to be a woman.
Women play so many roles and there is much beauty in them. Loving partner. Committed employee. Empathetic mom. In circle many women connect to these aspects of themselves and define what it looks like for them personally by probing deeper and asking questions like: What kind of mom, wife, career woman do I want to be? And, what structures do I need to have in place to make that happen?
5. Learn About Feminine Spirituality
Feminine spirituality is a concept too many of us are detached from because our thoughts around spirituality are often tied to religion. Imagine connecting with a higher being because it felt right, not because you were told what to believe.
Feminine spirituality is rooted in experience, not theology. It is about connecting with Mother Earth and embracing our moon cycle. It is about creating rituals because women are hardwired to have a desire to connect with themselves and come together in community. Women’s circles are a beautiful space to explore your spirituality.
6. Be Empowered by Your Sisters
Women Circles offer beautiful intergenerational shares. It is where we learn from one another without explicitly giving advice or solutions. Deep relationships are formed, and as you send out positive vibes, you receive them in return.
In circle you are presented with women from all walks of life doing brilliant things in the world. These women will inspire and shape you just as you will do for them. This interplay between women has us all unlock bigger versions of ourselves. Relationships are a mirror. We often learn most by contributing to others.
7. Reconnect with Yourself
Can you imagine reconnecting with versions of yourself you forgot existed? Maybe you were a performer as a child and stopped because you felt judged? Perhaps you were a dancer and felt whole moving your body, but now can’t find the time to do any movement practice at all? Being part of a women’s circle gives you powerful introspection time to ask: What are the dreams I have that I want to make happen in this life? In circle, you learn better how to “do you”. There is only one you and your gifts are needed in this world. This supportive environment creates self-worth, and with that, as your foundation, you are free to live life on your terms.
By living my transformational journey, my purpose became clear: I am a light for women. With this goal in mind, I wrote a workbook and created a women’s circle program called Ignite in Circle. This delicately balanced 7-week program that combines the ancient art of women circles with practical work needed to live your best life. Next sessions start the week of April 18th. Sign up now for introductory prices!
An idea I embody and now teach every woman I lead is: Your dreams and goals are bigger than your fears. Stop waiting. Be brave. Amass your sister teammates, and you’ll find just how much we’re all supported. We’ve got each other.
By Lyne Frank - a certified Global Sisterhood Facilitator
