You are probably sitting there think, "Girl, what are you about to tell me now about my friendships that I don't already know?" Honestly, I am not Sway and I don't have all the answers, but I can tell you this much from my past experiences with friends—when you are going higher, you just can't take everyone with you! When I was 21, I thought all of my friendships would still be everlasting. LIES! By time I turned 25, it seemed like everyone was trying to survive the quicksand. At 33, I'm truly glad that my sistas of once 10 has now became a strong bond of four! If you're wondering "why," here are a few things that I learned along the way to help me cultivate my "sistahood of dopeness".
1. Be organic!
No, don't run to Whole Foods looking in every aisle for a "new lifestyle"—just be you! You are defined by your own individuality and greatness! Remember, people are going to dislike you regardless, so why not just be yourself! Being yourself is always healthy for you, and it is healthy when cultivating some of the most dynamic friendships in your lifetime!
2. Create a branch of sistas that match your dopeness!
Don't simply find strays! Find those girlfriends who are going to support you through your highs, and lows! Remember, the same girlfriends that will be there for you when your relationship doesn't work out, will be the same girlfriends there for you when you finally are on to the career path that you want! Always make sure your circle of friends always have goals that align with yours and who are supportive AF for everything you do!
3. Always do a girls night.
Girls night is key! Time to rant about work, fashion, that no good boy that's putting you in the "friend zone" or just about anything else! Simple ideas such as planning a "sista's brunch," "'90s movie night," "wine down weekends" or other fun collective activities always makes room for creating dynamic friendships, kickback times, soul-searching moments and, of course, a time to get dressed up and conquer!
4. Always have some "tea time."
Spilling the "tea" is always a great time for some conversation and a good way to catch up! Whether you are spilling some tea about a personal issue or just an episode of Love & Hip-Hop, spilling the tea is a good time just to get your laugh on with your sista! At that moment you will realize your sista knows you too well!
5. Always keep it real.
Now you are probably thinking, "Girl, you do not know my friends!" But I know being genuine and honest with your sista is always a way to show that you love her! Now, I am not saying to be mean with it—just simply let your girl know if she is doing too much! At times, as friends we judge each other way too harshly when we are around other people! Pull your sista to the side and tell her you love her, but always tell her when she is wrong AF, messy AF and, of course, when she needs to get it together! Creating that bond will show that no matter what, you always will be supportive of her!
6. Set goals and boss up together!
Watching your sistas grow, whether it be in their spiritual life, personal life, career and/or any aspect of life, is rewarding! Knowing that you have been a part of the process through everything shows that you are a true sista indeed!
Collectively ladies, you can begin to conquer the world and watch each other set goals and accomplish achievements as well! So ladies, get in formation and boss up, but surround yourself with some powerful sistas to create your sistahood of dopeness!
