“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”. African Proverb
I've been thinking lately about connection. Back in January I joined an online personal training program. This plan is different from any other diet or exercise I've tried before. It only took me a day or two to realize what made it stand out from anything else I've experienced and the answer is: the community. The program is run through a private Facebook group and is full of encouragement, inspiration, workouts, meal plans, education, mental fitness exercises, coaching, recipes, and more. I jumped in and was fully engaged in the group, posting daily, commenting on posts, and encouraging others. I was able to see significant progress in my health in a short time. In fact, I lost the same amount of weight in less than 6 months than I had in the prior year and a half. After reaching my goal weight I decided to shift my focus away from my health to other things in my life and started to disconnect from engaging with the group every day. I checked in a few times a week, but rarely posted or commented. You can probably guess what happened. I have been struggling to keep up with both the exercise and food plan and have put some of the weight back on. My focus in joining wasn't strictly based on the number on a scale but an overall focus on living a healthy lifestyle. The group aspect and my own actions (or lack thereof) have shown me the power of community. Connecting with others who share similar interests can be powerful! It can help us with personal growth, determination to stick with something, and even encouragement to try something new. What areas of your life do you want to focus on during this season? It could be your faith, health, career, education, friendships, or even your appearance. A lot of us will set goals or intentions each year, month, or even weekly but then we either have no idea where to start or we'll work independently toward those things.
I am often one of those people. I have always been pretty independent by nature and I find the older I get the more I lean toward introversion and spending time alone. Plus, I find it hard to ask others for help. Past experiences have also created a desire to shield myself from situations that could lead to hurt feelings. But I am also becoming aware of the power of community and realize that I need to be more intentional about connecting with others. That can be a struggle as we often lead busy lives. Between work, family, chores, volunteering, and other obligations it can be difficult to find time to make new friends or spend time with the ones we already have. On the surface social media would appear to solve that problem, but the superficial relationships that are created by liking, sharing, or commenting on a post do not create the deep, meaningful connections that we actually need. God did not create us to live this life in a vacuum. And while connecting with others leaves us vulnerable to rejection, disappointment, betrayal, heartbreak, and loss it can also create a space for us to experience friendship, love, belonging, and joy.
"The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief - But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love." ~ Hillary Stanton Zunin
How can we seek authentic connection? I think it starts with identifying our values and goals. Once we know what is important to us and what we are trying to achieve we need to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals. Those who are walking the same path and can take hold of our hand to enjoy the journey together. If you are reading this blog right now you are likely interested in maintaining or improving some aspect of your appearance. Maybe you are seeking the right skin care or makeup routine, trying to curate a wardrobe to reflect your inner self, or want to develop more confidence as you move through life. You may have discovered me through YouTube, my website, or on social media. Or maybe you already knew me in "real life" through church, a workplace, or we were once neighbors. As I continue to grow my business the one thing that motivates me more than anything is creating a safe space for women to grow in their confidence. To develop inner confidence and bring that outward through the tools of personal style, fashion, or makeup. Simply put letting the world see your beauty from the inside out. Each one of you is beautiful in the unique way God has created you. You have special talents, strengths, and gifts that He placed in you specifically for the purpose of sharing them with others. We are not called to hide away and keep these treasures to ourselves.
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." - Luke 11:33 NIV
Where can we find community with others who have similar goals and values? There are many places we can surround ourselves with like-minded women...church, Bible study, neighborhood and volunteer groups are just a few ideas. There are also ways to connect with others on social media in a meaningful way. As I stated earlier, social media can be full of shallow, superficial connections. When we scroll endlessly, consuming content without engaging or ever taking a conversation offline we can often find ourselves feeling even more lonely than ever. I encourage you to seek connections through groups. Connect with others who are on the same journey as you or share similar interests - whether that's health, faith, emotional well-being, or a hobby. If you're still not sure where to find these communities let me introduce you to a few options.
Option 1: I have created a free community on Facebook. I'll be sharing posts in the group that will expand upon my social media and website posts. I'll give you access to free worksheets such as the Closet Basics Checklist. There will also be workshops like how to discover your Signature Style Statement. Plus I'll share more information on the Color Codes, BOD-X system and more! You'll find encouragement, style tips, and makeup tutorials. I also encourage you to connect with others in the group. Post selfies, ask questions, and look for opportunities to make new friends. Join here: Style by Dawn B Community
Option 2: Purchase the Fall 2022 Closet Outfit Planner and you'll be invited to join the Fall COP Facebook community. If you love sharing daily #ootd (Outfit of the Day) pictures or want to be inspired by others, this is the perfect community for you. Learn how other women who share your Color Code are styling their fall outfits. Pick up new style tips, discover where others have found cute pieces, and get feedback from members of the Closet Outfit Planner (COP) squad - the professionals who design it.
Option 3: Join Style Adventures with Shari & Company. This unique paid membership is only open for one week. Join by October 8 to become a part of an incredible community where you'll experience:
Learn about global influences on fashion
Weekly lessons from Style by Color staff members and CIC's (Christian Image Consultants)
A private Facebook group with daily posts: Fashion, Faith, Beauty & Lifestyle content
Join one, two, or all three communities. But don't just join these groups then sit back and observe. Engage, connect, and watch your confidence grow! Make new friends and invite others to join you on your journey.
“Each new friendship can make you a new person, because it opens up new doors inside of you.” — Kate DiCamillo
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