Rise, Sister, We Have Extra Love To Share

Sisterhood as Oxygen: Why We Can’t Thrive Alone (Pt. 2a)

Laura Berger

This is the first half of Part 2 following on from this Part 1. *Stay tuned for Part 2b, where we’ll mix up tender + gritty together, I hope you’ll join me. For today, here’s a bric-a-brac of thoughts and a reminder:

“If those whom we begin to love could know us as we were before meeting them … they could perceive what they have made of us” ~ Albert Camus

In a world that consistently tries to pull us apart, it’s not lost on any of us that some relationships diminish our light, while others encourage us to burn brighter. It’s good to remind ourselves ~ true sisterhood isn’t just a nice idea or a distant hope; it’s a powerful reality that stands against the systemic pressures we face as women, especially as mothers. 

We live within structures that make us believe we must do it all - bear the weight of our families, run our businesses/careers, and still smile graciously at a world that demands we keep proving our worth.

But what happens when we reclaim our collective power? When we stop competing, stop shrinking, and rise together in love and support?

True sisterhood is the antidote to these pressures. It’s not simply about having friends - it’s about having women in your life who lift you up, who hold space for your ambitions, and who stand shoulder to shoulder with you when the weight of life feels unbearable. It's a fierce, unbreakable connection rooted in understanding, trust, and the shared experience of navigating systems designed to keep us in our place.

This sisterhood isn't just comforting, it’s revolutionary. Because when we share our love and strength, we begin to dismantle the very structures that tell us to stay silent, to stay nice, and to stay fighting for crumbs.

Sisterhood and meaningful connections are at the heart of how we thrive, both in our personal lives and in business.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is about the role of support systems in my life:

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QUESTION: What role does a support network play in your life, and how have you built and maintained it? Can you give me advice about how to create a reliable support system to help me manage my working life?

My support network is the backbone of everything I do. In fact, I’ve often said that sisterhood is like oxygen - essential, life-giving, and sustaining. The Latin root of the word sistere means “to cause to stand,” and that’s exactly what a solid support system does for us - it helps us stand tall, no matter the storms we face.

For me, this support system is multilayered. At its core are the women in my life, the ones I can count on without question.

This inner circle is more than just a group of friends, they are my confidantes, my advisors, and my greatest champions. We share openly, we listen without judgement, and we remind each other of our power when the world tries to make us forget.

Tip: I voice note my inner circle and say this: "I've forgotten who I am, can you remind me?" It’s simple, but sometimes it’s all we need - a gentle nudge from those who see us clearly, even when we’re struggling to see ourselves.

But building and maintaining this kind of network takes intention. It’s not about having a large group of acquaintances; it’s about curating a few deep, meaningful connections with people who truly have your back. Over time, I’ve learned a few things about how to create and nurture a reliable support system:

⏩ Let Go of Perfection: As mothers, as women, we often cling to the idea of how things should be done. We want to control everything, but perfectionism is a barrier to receiving help. Let go of the need for everything to be done your way. Embrace the imperfections that come with support - it’s better to have someone there than to try doing it all yourself.

⏩ Cut Out Toxic Energy: Not all support is good support. Pay close attention to relationships that drain you. Sometimes, the people who offer to help are the same ones who subtly undermine your confidence or add to your stress. Trust your instincts here - if someone’s energy is off, even if they’re well-meaning, it’s okay to create distance.

⏩ Have Honest Conversations: Whether it’s with your partner, your friends, or your colleagues, transparency is key. If you need help, say so clearly and with no as little shame as you can muster. Too often, we expect people to know what we need without ever articulating it. Ask for what you need. The people who care about you will want to show up.

As for practical advice on how to create a reliable support system, I’d say start small. Look for people who show up for you in the little ways ~ those are the ones who will be there when the bigger challenges come. Don’t be afraid to invest in those relationships by giving back the same kind of support.

Remember, you don’t need a huge network, just a few solid connections who make you feel stronger, not smaller.

Laura Berger

And then there’s this other question that keeps popping up:

QUESTION: In your book NOISE: A Manifesto Modernising Motherhood, you introduce the concept of the 'Mother-Stopper Culture.' What does this culture entail? Can you share some actionable steps from NOISE that mothers can take to counteract this to reclaim their identities while balancing work and motherhood?

When I wrote NOISE, it was from a place of deep frustration and years of experience. As mothers, we face a barrage of expectations from every angle ~ society, family, media.

The moment you become a mother, it’s as though you’re public property. Everyone has an opinion on how you should act, parent, and live your life. It’s as if the world suddenly decides it knows what’s best for you and your children.

That constant pressure to meet societal expectations is what I call the Mother-Stopper Culture. It shows up in the form of guilt ~ guilt for wanting more, guilt for being ambitious, guilt for needing time for yourself. The problem with this is that it pushes us into a version of motherhood that’s defined by self-sacrifice at the expense of our identities.

For me being a fulfilled, empowered woman makes me a better mother, not worse. The more we reclaim our identities, the more we show up as our best selves for our children and our work.

Here are some actionable steps from my book to cut through the noise and reclaim your identity:

⏩ Interrogate the Ideals: Start by asking yourself, “What ideals of ‘good motherhood’ am I holding onto, and why?” So much of what we think we should do as mothers comes from outdated societal norms. Once you identify those ideals, you can start questioning whether they serve you or whether they’re simply noise that’s holding you back.

⏩ Set Boundaries with the Noise: It’s essential to set boundaries around the external opinions and pressures that seep into your life. Whether it’s family, friends, or social media, learn to recognise the noise for what it is ~ an external narrative that doesn’t have to define you. Set clear boundaries, both mentally and physically, about what you allow to influence your decisions.

⏩ Celebrate Your Ambition: Mother-Stopper Culture tells us to downplay our achievements and ambitions. But celebrating your wins and owning your dreams is one of the most powerful ways to cut through the noise. Find a group of like-minded women who will celebrate your ambition and success with you. Create spaces where ambition is not only accepted but encouraged.

The goal is to stop letting the noise dictate how you live your life. When you cut through the noise, you reclaim your power, your identity, and your sense of self. You are more than a mother ~ you are a whole, complex individual with dreams, talents, and desires that deserve space to thrive.

Laura Berger

Sisterhood, support, and breaking through societal pressures are all essential to thriving, especially for mothers and entrepreneurs. We’ve begun a tiny unpack of how support networks and reclamation of your identity can help you push through the noise and live more authentically. But there’s more to explore ~ stay tuned for Part 2b, where we’ll get into celebrating achievements and how to keep self-care and mental health prioritised.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. What kind of support do you most need right now in your life, and from your network? And where have you found true sisterhood and a solid support network? Let’s get our heads and hearts together on this.

And, here’s my first ever poll for you to take! Please vote,

Till next time,
Danusia x