How to build deeper friendships with women

[image] Hi, {NAME}! I spent this weekend at a ladies’ retreat with women from our Discipleship Group. The retreat felt stretching to me on many levels — we’d be staying in a small room with 7 women for two nights, it would be a really intensive experience requiring us to share openly and deeply, I likely wouldn’t be getting a lot of sleep, and (as a small group leader) I’d need to be doing a lot of pouring in to other women. I knew it was going to be a stretching experience — and I already felt tired and worn down from our move and the last few very full weeks. But I went into the weekend with the spirit of newfound confidence God has given me… and you guys, it was SO amazing! [image] [image] Yes, I didn’t sleep at all as well as I do at home, but I had energy to pour into women the entire retreat. Yes, there were awkward moments, but I challenged myself to show up fully and engage with the awkwardness. And I committed to go first when it came to vulnerability. I can’t even begin to tell you how freeing it was for me to not hold back or self-protect like I usually do. And then to not allow myself to psycho-analyze what I had said or wonder if I had over-shared or if I had scared people off by how gut honest I was. I shared a lot of things with these women that I have almost never opened up about. Things that I’ve been embarrassed about and wanted to hide and pretend didn’t exist. And you know what? I realized that my willingness to be so vulnerable when it is really hard for me to do so not only opened the door to much deeper relationship with these women, but it also gave them the courage to share honestly and vulnerably with me and with our group. [image] Want to develop deeper relationships? This what I’m learning: Go first — show up, volunteer, be the initiator, don’t wait to be invited. Look for those who are hurting or struggling or new or feeling left out or feeling awkward or sitting on the sidelines and reach out to them. Focus on how you can bless others. Don’t hold back, put on a mask, pretend, or hide who you truly are. This is where real relationships and community start to happen! _____ Links You Should Check Out: [How We Paid Cash For Our House]( — I shared very honestly in this video all the details on how we paid cash for our house that we recently purchased. (If you missed it, be sure to also check out my post this past week on [One of the Lowest Places of My Life](.) [20 Quick & Easy Make-Ahead Meals for Moms]( — I shared some of our favorite go-to meals for busy nights. [Stop Making Excuses]( — Need a laugh? Check out [how I managed to get in my run]( the past week (we finally got the treadmill taken apart and into the workout room in the basement). [image] Are you a blogger? Through March 9 only, I’m inviting you to join me and a group of other bloggers for a private [4-Week Blog Coaching Program](. This program is for you if you are: - A newbie blogger who wants to learn how to monetize your blog, produce consistent and inspiring content, and grow your readership. - An intermediate blogger who wants real, actionable advice to help you increase your income and develop a more effective social media strategy, all while having a great work-life balance. - Any blogger who is stuck in a blogging rut and paralyzed by the overwhelming noise of advice from “online experts” — who wants clarity and tangible steps to move forward and reach their blogging goals. Ready to get out of the blogging funk and take your blog to the next level? [Read all about the program & sign up here.]( Have a GREAT week! -Crystal [Unsubscribe]( Money Saving Mom, LLC 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Ste. 900 #313 Franklin, Tennessee 37069 United States