Recently, while catching up on the latest seasons of Emily in Paris and Love is Blind—shows that make me smile and make my mental load feel a little lighter—I was struck by something. It wasn’t the beautiful European scenery or the hope I felt for some of the couples to make it to the altar. It was how the female friendships were portrayed: with unconditional love and lots of laughs, even through differences or difficult times. It reminded me of my own girlfriends.
My latest project is writing a book about preparing millennials for menopause, a topic I knew nothing about until other women dedicated their time and resources to teaching me. My friends have connected me with experts to contribute to my research, offered to help care for my kids when I needed time to write, and cheered me every step of the way. Their support is the foundation on which I’ve built my book’s thesis.
We must share our uniquely female experiences to learn from each other and improve them for other women. This is reflected in my life’s mission: to empower, support, and connect women.
Good mom friends can be hard to find. The women I work with as a therapist and working mom coach often lament how challenging it can be, especially in the early days of motherhood. For years, women have been made to feel like they have to compete against each other, whether for a crush’s attention in middle school, in a work environment where there is room for only one female at the top, or when comparing lives on social media.
I am happy to report that I think this is changing, at least among my peers. And to borrow a beloved phrase from my dear mom friend, I am here for it.
(And I’m also here for any other female-centric, binge-worthy, lighthearted TV recommendations you have — let me know your favorites!)
