Help! I Need to Check My Sister Circle

Proverbs 18:24 is all about the importance of being a good friend and valuing the friendships we have. It’s saying that if you want to have friends, you gotta be a good friend in return. Let’s examine the scripture again. The verse says “a man that hath friends must shew himself friendly,” which means if you have friends, you gotta be friendly back. Supportive, kind, and considerate. And the verse also says “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” which means some friends can be even more dependable than siblings. It’s a testament to how strong and valuable true friendship is. It’s a good reminder to us that we should be grateful for our true friends and be a good friend in return. Personally, I have come to understand the importance of clear boundaries and specific goals for relationships, both professionally and personally.

By being mindful of the people I surround myself with, setting boundaries, and prioritizing my well-being, I have formed a supportive sister circle that provides a sense of connection, belonging, and love. I no longer fear rejection or judgement for being my authentic self, and I trust that the people in my circle will accept and love me for who I am. I am committed to being a supportive and uplifting presence in my sister circle, and I am grateful to have such wonderful and loving women in my life. I believe that we all need a network of supportive individuals to help us navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its joys. I hope this article will inspire others to assess the value of their relationships and ensure they are reciprocal.

Every woman should have a circle of women in their lives who support them but may have a different purpose for being in the circle. This circle may consist of women who share similar values and who are committed to supporting and empowering each other. Your circle should provide you with a sense of connection and belonging, as well as a safe space to express yourself and receive guidance and support. It can be especially helpful to have a circle to help during difficult times or when facing challenges. The circle may even be helpful in helping you to becoming a better you! So, if you were to consider your current circle is it beneficial? Does it support your emotional well-being? When you surround yourself with your circle do they uplift and encourage? Does the relationship help boost your confidence and self-esteem? Does the circle pray for you and others? Is the relationship reciprocal? Do you give what you are wanting to receive from the sister circle?

I am grateful to have learned some valuable tips that have helped me to make thoughtful and purposeful decisions about who I allow into my life and my personal space. These tips continue to guide me as I strive to maintain my sister circle. The following section has scenarios of friendships and lessons learned from each. Followed by ways to assess your friendships and how to establish a sister circle.

Parting Ways from a Friend Scenario:

Trina and LaTasha had been friends since college, but over the years, their friendship had become unhealthy and tenuous. Trina was very ambitious and always seemed to be focused on career success. She would frequently criticize LaTasha for not doing more with her life and for not being more ambitious. LaTasha tried to talk to Trina about how she was feeling, but Trina was dismissive and seemed to think that LaTasha was just being lazy.

As their friendship continued to deteriorate, Trina became more and more controlling. She would make plans and expect LaTasha to follow them and would get angry if LaTasha wanted to do something different. LaTasha felt like she had lost her independence and was always walking on eggshells around Trina.

One day, Trina and LaTasha had a big argument. Trina accused LaTasha of not being a good friend, and LaTasha finally snapped. She told Trina that she was tired of being treated poorly and that she needed some space. Trina was shocked and hurt, and the two women stopped speaking to each other.

Eventually, LaTasha realized that she needed to let go of the friendship and move on. She found a new circle of friends who were more supportive and respectful, and she began to rebuild her confidence and self-esteem. She learned that sometimes, even long-term friendships can end, and that it’s important to surround yourself with people who are positive and uplifting.

Lessons Learned from Trina and LaTasha:

• It’s important to be aware of the dynamics in a friendship: LaTasha realized that her friendship with Trina had become unhealthy and that she needed to let it go in order to protect her own well-being. It’s important to be aware of the dynamics in our relationships and to be willing to address any issues or concerns in order to maintain healthy and positive friendships.

• Communication is key: LaTasha tried to communicate her feelings to Trina, but Trina was unwilling to listen and address her concerns. In a relationship, it’s important to be open and willing to listen to and address the concerns of others.

• It is okay to set boundaries: LaTasha had to set a boundary with Trina and tell her that she needed some space. It’s important to recognize when we need to set boundaries in our relationships in order to protect our own well-being and to maintain a sense of balance and control in our lives.

• Respect is crucial: Trina was disrespectful towards LaTasha, belittling her accomplishments and criticizing her choices. It’s important to have relationships with people who are respectful and considerate of our feelings and boundaries.

It’s important to surround ourselves with positive and uplifting people: LaTasha found a new circle of friends who were more supportive and respectful, and this helped her to rebuild her confidence and self-esteem. It’s important to surround ourselves with people who are positive and uplifting, as they can help us to feel more confident and supported.

Fragile Friendships Scenario:

Katie and Rachel had been friends for years, but their friendship had become fragile over time. Katie had always been very sensitive and prone to insecurity, and she often looked to Rachel for reassurance and validation. Rachel would try to be supportive, but she became increasingly frustrated by Katie’s constant need for reassurance. She tried to talk to Katie about how she was feeling, but Katie became defensive and didn’t seem to want to listen.

As their friendship continued to deteriorate, Katie became more and more reliant on Rachel. She would constantly seek her out for support and advice and would get upset if Rachel wasn’t available or didn’t agree with her. Rachel felt like she was walking on eggshells around Katie, and she started to feel overwhelmed and drained by the constant attention.

One day, Katie and Rachel had a big argument. Katie accused Rachel of not being a good friend, and Rachel finally snapped. She told Katie that she was tired of feeling like she had to constantly reassure her, and that she needed some space. Katie was shocked and hurt, and the two women stopped speaking to each other for several months.

Eventually, Rachel decided to confront Katie and try to salvage the friendship. She explained how she had been feeling and listened as Katie shared her own feelings of insecurity and anxiety. They both realized that they had been struggling to communicate and support each other effectively, and they made a commitment to work on their friendship and be more understanding and patient with each other. With time and effort, they were able to rebuild their friendship and create a stronger, more supportive bond. Rachel learned that even longterm friendships can go through rough patches, but that with effort and understanding, it is often possible to strengthen and improve them.

Lessons Learned from Katie and Rachel:

• It’s important to be understanding and patient: Rachel and Katie were able to rebuild their friendship by being more understanding and patient with each other. It’s important to remember that people may struggle or make mistakes, and to approach conflicts with patience and understanding rather than anger or criticism.

• It is okay to ask for help: Katie struggled with insecurity and sought support and reassurance from Rachel. It’s important to recognize when we need help or support, and to be willing to reach out to others for assistance.

• Relationships take effort and work: Rachel and Katie had to put in effort and work on their friendship in order to strengthen and improve it. It’s important to remember that all relationships require effort and attention in order to thrive.

• It’s important to set boundaries: Rachel had to set a boundary with Katie and tell her that she needed some space. It’s important to recognize when we need to set boundaries in our relationships in order to protect our own well-being and to maintain a sense of balance and control in our lives.

• It’s important to be honest and open: Rachel was honest with Katie about her feelings, and this helped them to understand each other’s perspectives and work towards a resolution. It’s important to be open and honest in our relationships, as this can foster understanding and trust.

• It’s important to have a support system: Rachel and Katie had a strong friendship that provided them with support and encouragement. It’s important to have a support system of friends and loved ones who can provide us with emotional and practical support.

• Relationships can change and grow: Rachel and Katie’s friendship went through a rough patch, but they were able to work through it and rebuild their relationship. It’s important to re- member that relationships can change and grow over time, and that it’s often possible to work through conflicts and challenges.

Sister Circle in the Workplace Gone Bad (Samantha, Taylor and Nina):

Samantha, Taylor, and Nina had formed a closeknit sister circle at their company. They supported each other through the challenges of working in a predominantly male industry and provided a sense of community and belonging. However, as the women’s careers advanced and they took on more responsibilities, tensions began to rise.

Samantha became increasingly competitive and focused on her own success, and she often belittled the accomplishments of Taylor and Nina. She would criticize their ideas and decisions and would frequently try to take credit for their work. Taylor and Nina tried to talk to Samantha about how they were feeling, but she became defensive and refused to listen.

As the sister circle became more strained, Taylor and Nina began to feel isolated and unsupported. They started to distance themselves from Samantha and formed closer bonds with other colleagues. However, they were still unable to escape the negativity and tension that Samantha brought to the group.

Eventually, the sister circle completely fell apart. Taylor and Nina left the company, feeling drained and unsupported by their former friend. Samantha was left alone and isolated, realizing too late the value of her friendships and the importance of being a supportive colleague. The outcome was the least desirable for all three women, as they lost the sense of community and support that the sister circle had provided.

Lessons Learned from Samantha, Taylor, and Nina:

• Success does not have to come at the expense of others: Samantha’s competitive and self-centered behavior ultimately led to the breakdown of the sister circle. It’s important to remember that success and achievement can be shared and celebrated, rather than being a source of conflict and competition.

• Communication is key: Taylor and Nina tried to communicate their feelings to Samantha, but she was unwilling to listen and address their concerns. In a relationship, it’s important to be open and willing to listen to and address the concerns of others.

• Support and encouragement are crucial: The sister circle provided Taylor and Nina with a sense of support and encouragement, but as the group became more strained, they loss that sense of community. It’s important to have supportive and encouraging relationships in our lives, as they can provide a sense of belonging and help us to feel less alone.

• It is okay to let go of unhealthy relationships: Taylor and Nina ultimately had to let go of the sister circle and move on, as the relationship was causing them more stress and negativity than happiness. It’s important to recognize when a relationship is causing harm or is no longer healthy, and to be willing to let it go in order to protect our own well-being.

If you are engaging with women who have hurt you or don’t have your best interests at heart, it may be time to consider finding a new sister circle. If you feel like it’s time to take a closer look at your current sister circle, or if you are looking to establish one, the following points can serve as a helpful guide. Building and maintaining a supportive network of women can be incredibly beneficial for your emotional well-being and personal growth. A sister circle should provide you with a sense of connection, belonging, and support, and it can offer valuable advice, guidance, and different perspectives on any problems or challenges you may be facing. It’s important to carefully consider who you include in your sister circle. You may use the following points as a guide to help you evaluate your current sister circle or create a new one.

1. Determine your sister circle purpose. It’s important to remember that your sister circle must have a purpose, and it’s up to you to determine what that purpose is. Whether it is a professional partnership or a personal friendship. When building relationships, it is imperative to understand who, what, when, where, and why the connection exists.

2. Identify your sister circle goals and values. Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and the values that are important to you are equally important. This will help you choose the right people to include in your sister circle. Do you want to support one another professionally, or is the focus more on personal growth and development? Having clear goals will help you attract like-minded individuals and determine the direction of your group.

3. Seek out diversity. Building a diverse sister circle of women can bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table, which can be invaluable in achieving your goals. Look for women from different backgrounds, experiences/expertise, and points of view can be more enriching for everyone involved.

4. Foster genuine relationships. Building a sister circle is about more than just exchanging business cards or LinkedIn connections. Take the time to get to know people and build real, meaningful relationships. Find ways to foster the connections and build trust. This could include regular meetings, social events, or mentorship programs.

5. Make sure there are clear lines of communication and a system for resolving conflicts. It’s important to have open and honest discussions and to have a process in place for addressing any issues that may arise. It’s important to remember communicating with your sister circle is an important factor. Having clear, open communication is essential to building a strong sister circle. This means being honest, straightforward, and open to feedback.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Building your sister circle should be about mutual support and collaboration. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice when you need it and be willing to offer support in return. Also, you sister circle can mean hiring a life coach, who align with your goals and will support you along your journey. However, they should be selected based on your established.

7. Remember to have fun and celebrate your accomplishments along the way! Building a supportive sister circle can be rewarding and enjoyable, so make sure to carve out time to celebrate your successes and enjoy each other’s company.

8. Promote a safe and supportive environment. Make sure that everyone in your circle/sister circle feels comfortable and accepted, and that their contributions are valued.

9. Consider the use of technology to stay connected and facilitate communication. This could include using a group chat or video conferencing platform.

10. Foster a sense of community. Look for ways to bring the sister circle together and create a sense of belonging. This could include social events, volunteering, or other activities that allow members to bond and connect with one another. This will help everyone get to know each other and understand the connection between each other.

11. Encourage growth and development. Look for opportunities to support one another’s personal and professional growth. Share each other’s experiences and opportunities that have promoted growth and development in leadership, entrepreneurship, skill development. Personal and professional growth.

12. Be open to new ideas and perspectives. Encourage sister circle to share their thoughts and experiences and be open to learning from one another. This can help the group grow and evolve over time.

13. Keep Your Circle Active. Building a circle is an ongoing process. Make every effort to stay in touch with your connections and keep the lines of communication open. This will help you build a strong supportive network that is mutually beneficial.

14. Assess your Circle. At least once or twice a year, you should examine your circle and make sure it is meeting your expectations. If it is continue to move forward and determine if there is a need to stretch your circle purpose. If you determine that your circle is not helping you to grow, do not be afraid to be transparent and honest with your circle and remove someone if necessary. Just remember to do it with love and compassion, and let them know why.

15. Help is Available. Consider adding LEGACY to your sister circle. We are a team available to help you develop a leader. Use the following link to let us know how we can help you to grow, pray for you, or even get you connected during one of our upcoming Courageous Conversations to share.

As a conclusion, we can build strong and supportive relationships through self-reflection, setting appropriate boundaries, prioritizing our well-being, and being authentic. Having a sister circle can provide a sense of belonging, connection, and love. It is important for every woman to surround herself with a group of women who support, encourage, and share the same values and goals as hers.