11/09/2026
I’ve been going through a pretty rough patch recently, and a very wise woman suggested that I call on my community for help.
To be honest, I was hesitant. I didn’t want to appear ‘unstable’.
I didn’t want people to think I wasn’t coping.
I didn’t want to be the woman who couldn’t hold it all together.
Except… the truth was, I was struggling. And I was definitely NOT COPING!
So, eventually, I did something that felt incredibly vulnerable - I reached out.
And what came back was this big, beautiful bubble of love, support, kindness and generosity.
It reminded me once again just how important community is.
Historically, we would have lived in villages surrounded by other men, women and children - with everyone having a role to play. Women would gather to forage, cook, sew, care for children, share stories, wisdom and knowledge. They would support each other through births, deaths, celebrations, challenges and everything in between.
There was a sense of belonging.
A sense that you didn’t have to do everything alone.
And yet, somewhere along the way, we have moved into our separate houses and separate lives and somehow decided that we are supposed to manage all the things by ourselves.
And not only manage them…we’re supposed to manage them well.
We’re supposed to keep the house running, the kids happy, the work ticking along, the relationships healthy, the meals nutritious, our bodies fit, our minds calm… and preferably look like we’ve got it all under control while we’re doing it.
And asking for help?
That can somehow feel like an admission that we’re failing.
We talk about this a lot in my Women’s Circle — when did we become so bad at asking for help?
When did it become normal to carry a load that would once have been shared by a whole village of women?
We might not be living in those traditional villages anymore, but that doesn’t mean we have to live as though we are completely on our own.
We can still create our villages. We can still gather. We can still share the load.
We can still call a friend and say, “I’m not doing so well. Can I talk to you?”
So my advice is this:
Please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out. Call someone. Send the message.
Say that you’re not OK.
Sometimes just saying it out loud, unloading some of the worries that have been swirling around in your head - can make you feel a little lighter.
And sometimes, you might be surprised by just how many people are willing to stand beside you.
I am a better, stronger and more connected person because I am part of an amazing community.
And I will always, always be grateful for my village. ❤️
If you do not have a village of your own, please reach out. There are lots of free community events and groups where you can find like-minded people to support you.
My Women's Circle is always open to new people and my next Women's Nature Meditation is this Sunday - there are still spots available if you need some support and some time in nature - www.calendly.com/jane-ainsworth
Sending love and a ginormous hug your way.
Jane x
