I’m sure you’ve heard the following phrase being tossed around often — ”empowered women, empower women.”

I wholeheartedly agree with it. At the same time, it’s very vague. I don’t see many women truly making an effort to empower one another in our communities, and I don’t blame them for that. They just don’t know how to do it.

I see women exchanging hateful sentiments and language towards one another often. Instead of encouraging each other to build, grow, learn, and love — we put our sisters down, along with their goals, ambitions, or whatever else it may be that makes them who they are.

I want to create change in our communities — but it all starts with me. And then you.

Plant a seed of love for yourself, within yourself, so that it can grow to have branches that give shade to all the women you interact with.

This is how we empower one another.

Plant the seed and nourish its roots.

Here are three ways you can begin to shift your mindset.

1. Practice self-love: Do things that bring you joy, and document moments where you feel your best. Encourage positive thoughts that come across your mind about yourself, whether it’s how beautiful your eyes are or how you can write an entry in your journal and feel instantly uplifted after finishing the piece. Celebrate the achievements you deem “small” and give yourself a pat on the back every single time. Eat well, take care of your skin skin, try to be as active as possible, and spend some time away from your phone. Disconnect to really live in the moment and appreciate it.
2. Congratulate:Don’tjustcongratulate other women though. Try to go out of your way when it comes to their wins (and for that matter, losses, too) — send a text message instead of a quick comment on an Instagram post. Maybe give a call, especially if he/she is a close friend or family member. And if you decide to send a DM, at least make it genuine and more than just a quick “Congrats, so happy for you!”

We hope these action items can help you realize the importance of how to find power within yourself so that you can give it to others as well. When you nourish that seed of love and celebrate that power — you foster a supportive community with incredible women who inspire you. Let’s build together and lift each other up.