Who’s Your Tribe?

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As we ascend into the holiday season, some of us are filled with dread as we anticipate close quarters with family members and friends. Not all family members & friends of course, but certain ones (you know the ones I’m talking about!) The aunt who asks you how much weight you’ve gained, the cousin who makes snarky comments about what you’re wearing or even your mom who ignores you while she dotes on your sister. Every year you ask yourself “why do I put myself in these situations?” but yet you continue to do it. I know what you’re going through; I’ve struggled with this my whole life! Doing what we think others want, not what WE want! Hanging out with friends we grew up with even though we no longer have things in common with them or don’t even like them! Continuing to attend family functions with family members who treat us worse than a stranger would. Attending functions that you feel forced to attend, not because you actually feel passionate about them. The question I’ll ask you is why are you continuing to spend time with people who detract from your energy and your focus? What would your life be like if you didn’t do this anymore? Imagine that: spending time only with the people you love and look forward to seeing! Spending your precious time doing things you love, not what people think you should do.

Perhaps now is the time to peer closer at those we surround ourselves with: affectionately called our “tribe” by some people. I love that word! It represents those who “get” us, who like what we like, who believe what we believe, who support our goals and dreams by being our biggest cheerleader! Who is your tribe? Now is the time to begin weeding out those who aren’t in your tribe: the fill-ins, the substitutes, the second bests. That person you dread returning their phone call? Stop doing it. The woman you’ve known for 30 years but don’t look forward to seeing? Don’t see her anymore. That parent that always condemns you and doesn’t uplift you? Pull back from seeing her/him regularly. The sibling who is never there for you no matter what happens? Stop reaching out to them. What would happen if you began taking baby steps towards building a life you love and can count on? What if you let go of obligations and expected outcomes and instead began honoring yourself and your desires?

I believe when you do this, your axis will shift and your life will become more radiant! Whatever you believe, this life is the only one you have at this moment. Why waste another precious moment on someone that doesn’t think you are magnificent? If you’re struggling with this, struggling with boundaries or how to say no to what others expect of you, now is the time to seek additional support from a therapist. Don’t waste another moment on a life that you didn’t completely plan. The life you deserve is waiting for you and we are here to help you get there!

Please visit our website for more information, empoweredconnections.net.

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DEBORAH DULEY is a licensed social worker in the state of Maryland and the owner of Empowered Connections with offices in Leonardtown and Lusby, Md. Empowered Connections has provided therapy to hundreds of women over the years and we love it! Based on the growing need of empowered support and years of research, we have developed an empowerment coaching program designed specifically for the high achieving, high functioning woman that is feeling overwhelmed, not good enough, and/or is juggling multiple roles. The woman who wants to increase their self-esteem, grow their resilience, get clear on who they are as humans and finally leave all the crap behind, that no longer serves them. Our program is designed to figure out WHERE that comes from, WHY and HOW to change it. No need to relive painful memories or experiences like we do in the traditional therapy room. Boom! So empowering! Our coaches are mental health professionals that have been specially trained with our EC curriculum to deliver this content to you in a way that gets results and we’re so excited to offer this program alongside our traditional therapy services!