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What if I have too much on my plate?
What if I drive my kids around like a chauffeur?
What if my spouse/partner is already my best friend?
What if this season feels all-consuming with work?
What if I’m neglecting something else important to spend time with my girlfriends?
For years, the questions above have been feelings or rather the reasons I told myself I don’t have time to pour into a community of women. I still struggle with it, if I’m being honest, but I’m not the only one. Women in their forties commonly find themselves juggling parenting, partnering with their person, and growing their businesses or moving into higher levels of leadership and ownership. No wonder we neglect our female friendships. The misconception is that we don’t have time, but after decades of allowing all the other things to take priority on my plate, I began to wonder.
What if I found my tribe?
What if this is what I’ve been missing or longing for?
What if these relationships are fulfilling instead of draining?
What if I am a better human if I invest in them?
What if I can find the time to consistently connect?
Well, read on because I sat down with two incredible women to have an honest conversation about how to effectively nurture female friendships and debunk the myths about “not having enough time” when it comes to connection.
I hope you enjoy these takeaways as much as I do!
Insights from this episode of the Story Project podcast, "Nurturing Female Friendships in Your Forties…
I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my dear friends, Sara Ritchie and Josey Sewell. Both of these incredible women are leaders in the dental industry, with Sara recently becoming the CEO of Dental Flix and Josey leading initiatives like the Dental Operating System and Joyful People. During our conversation, we explored the often-overlooked topic of maintaining and nurturing deep, authentic female friendships, particularly for those of us navigating our forties while balancing professional, personal, and family commitments.
What strikes me most about Sara and Josey is their unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and personal development. This dedication isn’t just about advancing professionally; it’s about surrounding ourselves with people who inspire, elevate, and challenge us. As Sara so beautifully put it during our chat, “We are who we hang out with,” reminding us of the importance of cultivating friendships that encourage curiosity, growth, and positivity.
One of the challenges we discussed is how to maintain meaningful friendships when life gets busy, and we’re in different phases. Josey shared how her friendships have evolved as her children have grown and as she’s transitioned through various professional roles. She was candid about how prioritizing her friendships has made her a better wife, mother, and entrepreneur. A practical tip Josey shared was to set up a recurring calendar reminder for a “friend date” and treat it with the same importance as any other major appointment. I think that's a fantastic idea!
We also discussed how technology has become such a powerful tool in maintaining close-knit friendships. The three of us have used the Marco Polo app to stay connected, despite living in different states and having different schedules. For me, this app has become a “vault” where we can share openly, honestly, and without judgment. It’s been a game-changer for staying connected, especially when we can’t always meet in person or have longer conversations.
Both Sara and Josey emphasized the importance of vulnerability in building strong, trusting friendships. Josey talked about how showing up as her true self has allowed her to connect more deeply with others. However, we all agree that vulnerability is a gradual process. It's important to "test the waters" with new friendships to ensure that the other person is someone who can be a trusted confidant. Sara shared how being vulnerable with the right people, who have also done deep interpersonal work, creates a safe space for growth and support.
We wrapped up our conversation by sharing some actionable advice for women looking to cultivate new friendships or deepen existing ones:
As we closed the episode, Sara and Josey shared some of their exciting plans for the future. Sara, now the CEO of Dental Flix, is focusing on expanding the company’s growth and working with content creators to amplify their messages. Josey, who calls this year her “chrysalis year,” is preparing for a significant launch in 2025 aimed at empowering leaders within the dental industry.
I encourage all of you listening to take actionable steps to invest in your friendships and be brave in building authentic connections. For more insights and inspiring stories from women leaders in dentistry, subscribe to The Story Project podcast and join us in nurturing meaningful friendships.
Follow the Conversation:
This episode is a powerful reminder that friendships, especially in midlife, require intentional effort, vulnerability, and a supportive community. Let’s continue to support one another in our journeys to build deeper, more meaningful relationships.