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I The other day, while scrolling through social media, I came across a quote that struck a chord with me:

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to find a like-minded tribe who believes in you so ferociously that on the days you feel like you can’t, they remind you that you can.”
— @ninaslostandfound

It prompted a delightful reflection on some of my closest friendships over the years.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have some incredible friends. There were a few constants throughout my childhood and adolescence—friends I’ve stayed in touch with since we were kids. Others came and went, appearing for a reason or a season. It’s often difficult to determine the nature of a friendship while you’re in it. We bond, hoping these connections will last forever, only to later understand their true significance as the friendship evolves or ends.

Looking back, I can see that losing some early friendships was for the best. I was quite the wild child, and some friendships were perhaps meant to be transient. Even though we’re not as close as we once were, I still stay connected with some of them online and enjoy seeing what they’re up to. I hope they occasionally think of me the same way, but if not, that’s okay too.

Here’s a fun fact: One of my oldest friends, who I’ve known since I was about two years old, is still a part of my life today. Thanks to Facebook, we’ve managed to stay in touch despite growing up down the road from each other. Isn’t that amazing?

That quote reminded me just how fortunate I am. Making friends as an adult can be incredibly challenging, and I’ll delve into that more in another post. But I’ve been blessed to find a wonderful tribe of women at work. We initially bonded over our jobs, and what started as professional camaraderie has blossomed into genuine friendship. It’s truly a gift to work with people you enjoy and respect, while also loving what you do.

What stands out the most to me is the last line of the quote. On days when I feel like I can’t do anything or simply don’t want to, these women remind me that I can. They help me believe in my strength, and I strive to do the same for them. Every day, we lift each other up, share laughter, and provide the confidence we didn’t know we needed. They’re also the first to celebrate my achievements—whether it’s earning a certification, finalizing an adoption, or simply securing an insurance authorization on the first try.

It may seem unlikely to find such a tribe at work, but here I am, thriving with a squad I cherish deeply. It’s a reminder that despite any detours or wrong turns, I am exactly where I’m meant to be right now.

Life is truly good.

Do you have a tribe? Tell me all about it.

Feature image courtesy of Deposit Photos artist blue67.