The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

In preparation for this blog, I found myself searching to find a topic about which I felt enthused to write. Hoping for some ideas and inspiration, I called upon a group of fellow moms whom I connected with when my first child was born.

This group of women is lovingly named New Mom’s Coffee, which could conjure up all sorts of images of what the group entails. What I found when I attended my first NMC meeting was a group of sleep deprived new mothers wearing yoga pants, drinking coffee, crying, holding their babies, and guiding one another. What I found was a support group, led by a social worker who is also a childbirth educator and traumatic birth counselor, which became a lifeline for me as I embarked upon the uncharted seas of new motherhood. So why am I sharing about New Mom’s Coffee? What does this have to do with blogging for The Balanced Life? I realized that when I reached out to the group to see if there were any topics about which to write, that I had already stumbled upon a worthy topic.

It takes a village. We hear that all the time when it comes to child rearing. And this is absolutely true. But I believe that it takes a village to help us get to know ourselves in the context of a community. We learn who we are in relation to others. Our interactions dictate our experiences. The emotions with which we are met with when we have life experiences set the tone for how we respond. One of the questions I always ask during a new client’s initial intake session is, “who is your primary support system?” I follow that up with, “what makes these people integral to your life and mental health?” Think about it: who in your life do you consider supportive? And what does being supportive look like to you?

There seems to be a lot of talk on social media encouraging people to “find your tribe.” What makes a strong, cohesive tribe? Using New Mom’s Coffee as an example, I would say that one of the most important characteristics is authenticity. No lasting bonds are built without genuineness. It is so important to be unedited and real when building relationships. Another quality would be compassion. Even if the other moms in the group do not have answers to hard questions, they provide kindness and gentleness. Sometimes, just knowing that we aren’t alone allows us to feel supported within a community. There are times when we need to lean on others, and then there are times when we are there to be leaned upon when others are in need.

Professionally, it also takes a village. I will use my profession to elaborate. As therapists, we so often rely on one another for recommendations, clinical insight, referrals, and support. Take The Balanced Life, for example. We are a multi-specialty therapy group made up of seven women whose areas of expertise vary, but our passion and commitment to helping others are all strong. The members of the TBL team often reach out to one another with ideas and questions, and this collaborative and collegial approach helps each of us feel connected. And beyond TBL, we have a group of mental health therapists in North Alabama who meet monthly to help maintain a thriving community of mental health professionals for our area. We are more effective as clinicians when we work together.

I encourage each of you to examine the relationships and communities in your lives. Do you feel enriched and fulfilled when you think of the circles in which you run? Do you find joy in helping and supporting the people in your chosen group? It is never too late to find the right community. Perhaps you’re an avid runner; there are running groups that welcome new members. Love to read? Monthly book clubs meet to socialize and share their opinions about new novels. Is faith an important part of your life? Finding a place of worship can be like joining a family.

The warmth of acceptance can fill even the loneliest of hearts. Do not be afraid to venture out and connect with new people. Or, if you have a support network, make quality time with them a priority. Let those you love know how integral they are in your life, and what a difference they have made in shaping who you are. You never know how much these words can make an impact on them. The power of community and connection cannot be understated. If cultivating relationships and communicating effectively with others is something you find to be a struggle, we at The Balanced Life are here to help with these skills. We hope you will reach out to us if you feel there is a need. Feel free to contact us at 256-258-7777 or info@thebalancedlifellc.com. I wish you a week of meaningful interactions and positive connection; as a community, we are stronger.