Women need each other. . . When a group of women get together, after a while, what you will begin to hear is a level of what I call ‘happy chatter’. This happy chatter is critical for us and is, I believe, probably one of the most valuable things that women can do for themselves. When women have a chance to gather as a group of two or more, this level of camaraderie can click-in often within a minute.
I believe that the very activity of talking with a trusted friend or a group of friends, gives them a chance to sort things out, clarify their thinking on a challenging situation they are dealing with, find validation and come to decisions while they talk. In a group of supportive women, these times together with other women of all ages, each member can speak their mind and get some validation and approval of their thoughts and ideas from each other while they talk about what is on their mind and heart. For the most part, women do not feel the need to offer solutions, unless it is asked for. What we most look for is a sympathetic ear, a smile, and nod of the head.
Another thing, and maybe one of the best things women get from happy chatter is that sense of bonding that comes from sharing something that is dear to your heart and having a friend say, ‘I understand.’ In general, we do not talk the same way as men do. To them, it seems as if we are talking about 'nothing.' But this nothing is critical to our social relationships.
This article in Psychology Today is a more in depth discussion of this phenomena.
So, the next time you come into a space where there is a group of women sitting around ‘just talking,’ I invite you to stay and listen. If you are invited in, count yourself lucky. You are ‘in the club.’
