There are times when women find themselves feeling alone, despite being surrounded by family and friends. But what does it really mean to be “alone”? Even the strongest marriages experience rough patches, and for many women, the daily grind can feel isolating. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom juggling diaper changes, school drop-offs, cleaning, cooking, and errands, or a working mom grappling with the guilt of missing school parties and field trips, the pressures can be overwhelming.
Imagine the stay-at-home mom who rushes home after dropping the kids off, only to clean, cook, and prepare for the next round of after-school activities. Or the working mom, anxiously praying her children don’t get sick right before an important presentation at work. Then there’s the mom who tries to strike a balance between working part-time and being present at home. Each of these roles requires juggling, patience, and practice—and even with years of experience, life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs when least anticipated.
While these scenarios are somewhat normal, what happens when the curveballs are life-altering? Challenges like divorce, death, illness, mental health struggles, or the realization that even in times of gratitude, one still feels stressed, tired, and inadequate can feel insurmountable. This is precisely when the importance of great girlfriends comes into play—not just any friends, but GREAT friends.
Having impromptu wine nights, girls’ trips, weekend getaways, or simply an evening spent crying on a friend’s shoulder can do wonders to lift the weight off your shoulders. Girlfriends often provide the kind of magical therapy that women need to navigate difficult times. I have experienced numerous dark moments in my life, and nothing beats the comfort of a friend sitting across from me, placing their hand on mine and reassuring me that “everything is going to be okay” or “I don’t know if everything will work out, but I will be there every step of the way.”
Creating a safe space with friends, free from judgment and gossip, allows for honest sharing and mutual support—a precious gift that is irreplaceable. This friendship can uplift and act as a lifeline in turbulent times. While having a supportive spouse is invaluable, sometimes no one understands a woman’s struggles quite like her friends.
Sisters and mothers can also provide support, but I have found incredible friends who truly understand me, often better than some family members do. It’s all too easy to feel isolated in our adult lives, but this is precisely when we need our girlfriends the most. Sharing time with a friend who has experienced or is going through the same struggles can be both bittersweet and empowering.
C.S. Lewis beautifully expressed this sentiment: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” Such connections create a solid foundation for two strong women to lean on each other.
Additionally, there is great value in the friendships with those who may not fully understand the intricacies of your struggles but have committed to being there for you nonetheless. As William Shakespeare noted, “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
If you find yourself not recognizing these types of girlfriends in your life, it may be time to start putting energy into connecting with other women. Focus on building your own tribe of amazing women and strive to be the kind of friend you wish to have in your life. These are lessons I wish I had learned in my youth, but it’s never too late to start becoming the kind of woman you want as a friend. Once you begin to build your tribe, you will feel the power of your posse and witness how important and life-changing these connections can be.
