Building Relationships//Interviews

/ Sharece Campbell, LMFT I Postpartum Doula

After speaking to those close to me, I believe that we have an idea of how to begin putting an end to this madness (see previous two posts on Woman 2 Women).  Think about this…what have women been known for doing to just to mix and mingle with other women?  Where can women go where they can be free to meet other like-minded individuals where the focus is not on family?  Men have sports that bring them together (not to say that women are excluded from this).  But, what can women do together that will help close this gap?

Over the next few weeks, I will reach out to others via this blog, randomly out in the community, as well as friends and family to begin figuring out a solution to this dilemma (yes, it’s that important).  I love research, and I am excited to see what I am able to come up with!

feedback_imagesSo, I’ll be needing the help of all of you!  Please comment below on the following questions, so you are able to provide me with some initial feedback before I conduct my interviews.

  1. What is currently available to women where they can go to mingle and network (places, activities to complete together)?
  2. Of these places, what is the primary focus (family/relationship/work oriented, etc.)?
  3. What would you like to see women do together, if there are currently no places that meet your needs/expectations on networking with other women?

Thanks in advance for your help!

~XOXO

FreeBryd

1)Photo #1: http://idealistcareers.org/

2)Photo #2: http://www.optimizeulc.com/

33 thoughts on “Building Relationships//Interviews”

  2. I like this mini series you have on this!
    !) Places women tend to go to socialize tend to exclude men like shopping or are centered around things that they are doing with other moms or something like play dates. In my experience I tend to go wine and design classes, dinner dates, find fun races (adventure races) or cheap groupon activities that are new to do together like bowling, spa dates and the like.
    2). We talk about small talk to get it out of the way but then we like to focus on each other’s goals, future plans, fun, and how to make those moves. We also like to talk about health and how to change it and relationships are a biggie as I am a counselor but we are in our own right so I’m sure that is a big one for all of us).
    3). I would like to see women do more physical activity together, I do not see that as much as I should. I see some walking, but there are other activities that can be fun such as ropes courses, team sports (even casually), mental games like escape houses, photography classes (confidence building) or pole fitness (fun, fitness, and confidence building) etc…

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    • I really appreciate your responses, and the encouragement on this blog series! I’m serious about collecting this feedback, with the hopes of doing more to get more women together! So cool that youre a counselor…I’m also a counselor in the mental health field.
      I tend to graviate towards similar activities as you mentioned in your post. Wine tours and groupon dates are always on my radar.
      I do agree that I would like to see more physical activity together, and I love your idea on the mental games! I’m adding your wonderful ideas to my research lol, and will share the final results when I do some more interviews! 🙂

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  3. Freebryd girl this has me scratching my head, thinking. Where do women just hang out?
    1 and 2- the spa, nail shop, beauty salon, SEPHORA!!! I can only think of places for grooming.
    3-I’m thinking these places are great for women. But I usually am flying solo or hanging with my friends. These are not really places that women go for socializing with strangers. If these places had lady’s special or nights. They may draw in larger quantities of women and this may result in socializing among women.

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    • Hey! thanks so much for your feeback! I’m over here racking my brain for what more women can do together. I keep thinking about martini’s and nail salon. But like you said, these places you normally go solo, or with a group of friends…not to mingle with other women. I’m hoping to figure out a way for more women to network more consistently.

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  4. This is wonderful!! I started a Ladies Night that we do each month with some close lady friends of mine and actually I was going to start posting what we do;) But to give you an idea we have:
    – Gone to a local restaurant that offered a ladies night deal
    – Done a Paint Night where we go to a local restaurant or bar to do some guided painting:)
    – Celebrated birthdays at one of our homes and made high-heeled cupcakes we saw on Pinterest and played board games
    This would answer your number 1;)
    2) We usually like to just have some fun together since we rarely hang out with just the women. We use it as our time to just relax and get away from the regular routine.
    3) I agree with ladycamecu about having more physical activities to do together…for women only. Like having a Ladies Mud Run.
    Would like to see what your research shows at the end:)

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  5. You are on the right track, FreeByrd! My main networking comes via social media. Starting in September, I hope to make some “in person” networking available to women I know and hopefully open it up to other women in the area. I keep reading here and I’ll keep you posted 😀

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  6. Reblogged this on freebryd and commented:

    Still searching for as much feedback as possible, on ways that women can improve their relationships with one another, socialize and network! Don’t be shy…let’s get creative I’ll share the results soon enough. Thanks for your support!

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  7. Love this post! I just moved to a new city so I’m looking for ways to develop new friendships and actually just wrote a post about how challenging it can be to make friends as an adult so I’ll be looking forward to the results 🙂

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    • So true!! I have had similar experiences, and am in need to make changes lol. I have it on my calendar to post the results soon. What are some activities that you would like to do, or have at least some engagement activities you have participated in when you were around more of your friends?

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      • My friends and I did plenty of the typical activities, pedicures, shopping, bars, and restaurants. We talked about going to an art class but it never worked out with our schedules. As I’ve tried to transition into a more active lifestyle and make some changes I try to plan more outdoor activities like hiking or even just a walk. I’d like to try some cooking classes and more active activities like belly dancing. Fun activities that help with my change to a healthier lifestyle.
        It’s great to connect with you! 🙂

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      • I’ll be curious to see what you find out and what other women share. This reminds me I need to update my “About Me” page since I’ve moved on from the “small”town to the Big City 🙂

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  8. 1. I’ve been to brunches, game nights, writing sessions, birthday parties, and toy and make-up parties. I feel like most of the networking and hang-out sessions I’ve been to have been organized by women and targeted exclusively to them. Meet-Up is a great way to connect and I’ve been to some interesting events through them. I also find that salons (hair and nail) and waiting rooms are great places to have some amazing discussions. Happy hours are also great places to strike up conversations with other women.
    2. I think the focus depends on where you are and who you’re with. Conversations I have are usually very fluid in their topics especially when you have a mix of women from different backgrounds.
    3. I always like to see more work/business related networking events and I’d like to see more mentoring opportunities and open discussions about sexual and mental health.
    I know it’s late but I hope this helps.

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  9. Pingback: Building Relationships//Research Results | Be Free 2 Love

  10. I think it’s great you see the importance for women to connect and become unified. I would love to see women come together and mentor younger females on what it truly means to be classy and sassy….. We all have our own theories but if more women would be willing to create events that middle and high school young ladies could attend it extends a sense of sisterhood in my opinion. Great post as always 🙂

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    • I love this idea!!! Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback as always! I’m racking my brain to see if there are currently any events like this around me in the Pennsylvania area, and I honestly can’t think of one. You’re onto something. This could build some long term unity among us. 🙂

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