Girl Power

Reflections on the superpower of sisterhood.

Dear Circle,

There are some beliefs I hold dear because I have found them to be true. This is one of them:

“A circle of women may be the most powerful force known to humanity.

If you have one, embrace it. If you need one, seek it.

If you find one, for the love of all that is good and holy, dive in. Hold on. Love it up. Get naked. Let them see you. Let them hold you. Let your reluctant tears fall. Let yourself rise fierce and love gently.

YOU WILL BE CHANGED.

The very fabric of your being will be altered by this, if you allow it.

Please, please allow it.”

With tremendous grace, gratitude and fortune, I have this circle of women in my life. Loosely, yet fiercely, we hold a sacred and safe space for one another. We are each other’s witness of our unique journey. We are all different ages, in all different stages, on different continents, with idiosyncratic backgrounds and experiences. Yet we are one. We support, encourage, and insist on no apologies for speaking our truth especially when tears flow. We listen with an open heart and no agenda other than to sit with presence and compassion.

In our circle I have seen the most profound of life’s experiences unfold. Births of children, relationships, books, identities, businesses and dreams. Deaths of relationships, loved ones, identities, careers and shadows. In every woman I have had the honor to watch magical transformations. Our circle is a chrysalis. A cocoon we visit and revisit over and over again from which we grow within and emerge profoundly changed.

The process is messy. It is not for the faint of heart. Wabi sabi imperfect and impermanent. Walking the path and doing the work being the point, the gift, the beauty. Because each of us are worth it, of which we remind and reflect to each other this absolute truth.

As this year comes to a close, I consider and reflect.

My son turns 13 on Christmas Eve. In some cultures this birthday marks his entrance into adulthood. For me, he is no longer a little boy and yet he is far from being an adult. He is in transition. His own metamorphosis. A transition that spans years more, yet never truly ends. Evolving that is. Beautiful and messy and hard and necessary and exciting.

I created Dudley The Fox with the publishing of my very first piece early this year on January 15th — 11 months ago. A letter to my children that spilled out of me. I had no traditional writing experience or background to validate myself as a writer.

I did, however, have my muses — my beloved children, and a deep desire to write to and for them. I had a visceral need to share with them in a concrete, less ephemeral way than spoken word, what I have learned that hopefully would truly help them to live a fulfilling, happy, authentic and meaningful life and to provide context for their life, and that of their parents and extended family.

I also, had my circle of women. My soul sisters. My biggest fans. For we are one, and when one reaches for the stars, we all put on our jet packs to help launch her in her pursuit. My circle sisters’ belief in me — your belief in me — has been one of my greatest gifts of 2023. I feel incredibly blessed and I am beyond grateful.

Over the course of the past 11 months, I have published 53 pieces including this one. I am extremely proud of my consistent commitment to my writing and especially to showing up for you, my dear circle of readers, as you have so generously shown up for me each week.

This endeavor has been a journey. One of self doubt some weeks contrasted with self confidence others. A constant stream of questioning, examining, and learning. Pivots too. I started as a rookie and perhaps am now an intermediate or advanced beginner.

A dear friend shared with me just the other day,

“I feel your writing has improved exponentially in the short time you’ve been posting, so it really is a lovely read each week.”

Thank you, RB, for that honest and supportive reflection. So much more growth and awesomeness to come.

Additionally, I had zero presence on social media and consequently no follower base with an email marketing list, therefore no baked in readership. This is a bit of a rarity these days. But I have had perseverance to do my best work. To never phone it in. I care deeply and I hope, I believe, it has shown. I have worked extremely hard, putting in tens of hours weekly. Writing, for me, takes time. I edit and edit and edit. We all have our process. This is mine.

And with no list or online presence from which to launch Dudley The Fox, my first subscription felt like a tiny miracle for me and so has every.single.one thereafter been a gift for which I do not take for granted. I am overjoyed when a lovely new person joins our community that I do not yet know but who felt compelled to dedicate a bit of their time and trust to be here. Thank you!

And while my growth has been slow and organic without any marketing, it has been steadily increasing every month with readers tuning in from Los Angeles to the Netherlands and many places in between. And although my subscriber numbers are still small, they are mighty as reflected in the relatively outsized statistics of articles being opened, read and engaged with via you “liking” and sharing your valuable insights and feedback in the comments for which I so enjoy reading and responding to.

A circle of women, I have found, to be one of the most powerful forces in my life. A safe, caring and supportive landing place. I have not always had this circle. So if you have not yet found yours, I encourage you to consider the magic inherent and if you desire, seek it. Perhaps set the intention for this upcoming year to dive in, hold on and be seen. To write a sisterhood into your story for 2024. To claim to the universe, “I am ready and I desire, solid, kind, supportive female friendships in which we can be our authentic selves, ever evolving, celebrated and true.” To drop down into your heart and feel the joy of these friendships as if you already have found one another. And be open to these amazing women showing up, starting with me, here each week.

If you already have a beautiful circle, let these women know how much you value and appreciate them. Embrace them.

I started this space for my children. It has evolved to be for you and me, too. For all of us, in some way, to be seen, heard, supported and nourished. It truly is my hope and intention for 2024 and beyond to continue to grow our circle deep and wide. I am so grateful for your presence here.

May our circle be open but never broken.

Until next time, xoxo, WRW