As a woman, it has taken me many years to release the internalized misogyny that was unfortunately bred into me. I have been taught to view other women as competition, as unsafe to confide in or be close to, and as people always “out to get me.”

Even though I knew that I wasn’t doing these things to other women, somewhere along the way I became paranoid they were doing it to me. While I’m sure there are some women who don’t have the respect and consideration it takes to build a same-sex community, I’m not here to focus on them.

What I’m talking about today it cultivating community with other women and the importance that can have in your healing journey if you also identify as a woman. Much like expressing your struggles with mental health can help you realize you’re not alone, I believe creating a community of women to discuss experiences can have the same benefits. You will probably find, more often than not, that they have been in similar situations to you. Or, maybe they even have advice on how you can work through things yourself.

I’m on a mission to become more woman-centered, rather than looking for validation and connection from men. While there is nothing wrong with that, I am personally ready for a season of my life full of wholesome connection, and I think a lot of girls are. The dating scene is rough right now, and a lot of women have been going through it, so let’s band together for a bit and explore what sisterhood really means.