Building Your Support Network.
May 7, 2019 by ThySista
Filed under Health & Wellness, Opinion, Weekly Columns
(ThySistas.com) Life as a modern woman can be tough. Most of us spend a lot of our time worrying that we’re not enough, as we watch other women raise families, keep clean homes and run their own businesses. We’re overcome with mum guilt if we leave our kids to work, but terrified that we’re smothering them or setting a bad example if we stay at home. There doesn’t seem to be a right way to do things and our best never quite seems enough.
But, the truth is that many of these women that are going it alone aren’t in fact alone. Even strong women like Belinda Stronach attribute relationships with family to some of their success. Women that seem to be doing it all so well might actually have cleaners, childminders, help from family and friends, 
and a great team working under them. And, many of them still struggle with feelings of guilt. At the very least, it’s essential that you have a strong support network, filled with people that pick you up and boost your confidence when you need it, as well as picking the kids up from school or popping a casserole in when you need that. A fabulous support network makes everything in life easier, so let’s take a look at some of the ways to make sure you’ve got one.
Keep in Touch
When we’re older, and we’ve got families and other commitments, it can be hard to see our friends and family as much as we used to. Fortunately, you shouldn’t need to. Most of your friends will also be short on time, and they’ll be in a similar situation. Make firm arrangements to meet up regularly, even if it’s just a once a week coffee at lunchtime, and swap texts and social media chats when you’ve got time. Keep in touch, even if it’s just the odd hello.
Cut Negativity
A big part of building a strong and positive support network is cutting negativity. If there are people that bring you down and never support you, why are you keeping them in your life? You don’t have to be nasty about it, but nor do you have to waste your time on people that you get nothing positive from.
Don’t Underestimate Online Friends
You might have thousands of people that you follow on Twitter, but you’ve never met most of them, so they can’t be your support network, right? Well, yes, they can. If you speak to people every day, share stories with them, offload your stress to them and receive support and advice in return. If you’d always do the same for them, then yes, they are real friends, and they form an essential part of your support network.
For many of us with busy lives, that don’t have as much time as we’d like to go out with friends and family, these people online form a large percentage of our meaningful contact with other people. If you can, and you feel comfortable with it, make an effort to meet some of your online friends, but if not, at least make sure you don’t underestimate their importance.
Staff Writer; Laura Parker
