How a Community Changed My Life

I used to think that groups of girls/ women = bitchiness.

I joined high school 2 months late - I was the new girl who had to work a bit harder to ‘earn my stripes’.

School years weren't easy for me - we moved back from Spain after my parents' attempt to save their marriage, which didn’t work out. And as a result, we moved 12 times in 4 years.

I never felt settled or truly part of a community. The girls at school didn’t help, and to be honest I was part of the problem too. One minute you’re top dog, bitching about one of the poor girls who was the chosen one to pick on that day, the next I was that poor girl being excluded.

It was a constant battle to be liked by your ‘friends’.

So when I left school, I kept my female friend numbers lower than my male friends and avoided groups of women at all costs.

That is until 2023, when I took a leap of faith to join The Break - a fellowship programme for female entrepreneurs. I spent about a month living with 17 women I’d never met before in Gran Canaria and it truly changed my life.

I discovered that a group of women doesn’t mean bitching and fighting. In fact I have never felt so comfortable with a group of strangers so much as I did with these incredible women. I was listened to, I was seen, I felt empowered, understood, respected and I know these women felt the same too.

Sadly we lost one of our group, Barbara, tragically a few months after, but we have never forgotten what she taught us.

These ‘strangers’ have become friends now. I’ve met their families, stayed at their homes, some I’ve done business with and others we chat and call from time to time and meet when we’re in the same country.

One of the group asked in the WhatsApp group: “What has been the biggest change in your life since we met?”. Here’s some of the responses:

The term "community" gets thrown around a lot. But a real community understands and empathises with what you’re going through.

They give as much (but usually more) than they take and are there for you.

Not only did I learn the importance of surrounding myself with kind, ambitious women, but I also realised how vital a supportive community is for my well-being and personal growth.

So, if you’re looking for a supportive community to help you in your remote job search journey…

JOIN THE REMOTE REBELLION COMMUNITY!

Stay rebellious,

Michelle

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