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Girl’s Night Out

Find the Friend Who Will Row Beside You

two girls wearing life vests holding kayak paddles

Big groups of girlfriends have always been tricky for me. I’m a former only child and some of the residual effects of that linger. I’ve always preferred my friendships one-on-one so that I can dive deep with the few rather than stay surface with the many.

But finding the one or two women who understand you to your core is a challenge. It takes effort and intention to sustain a sisterhood. And it also takes someone who is willing to say yes to every part of your messy, beautiful life.

A few years ago, both of my children were diagnosed with autism and something interesting happened: my inner circle closed even tighter. The thing is, it doesn’t take a special mom to raise special needs kids, but it does take incredibly special people to stick it out with you.

So some of my friendships faded away. Some didn’t know what to say, so …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Community Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs HeartBeats Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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If One Woman Wins, We All Do

When I graduated from nursing school, my best friends showed up with their support and this sign.

I remember there was no better feeling than seeing a group of women I loved standing up for me.

Girls in their twenties get a bad rap. Dare I say this was the time in my life I felt the most supported by my same gender.

Because somewhere along the line women are introduced to the wrong side of competition called scarcity. Meaning that if one of us succeeds, another doesn’t. I see this a lot in the writing world. If one author gets a hit, the others start scrambling, analyzing their numbers, and pushing out inauthentic content to keep up.

But honestly, it’s everywhere. We compare bodies, businesses, even our own mothering.

This idea of scarcity is sad, and also completely unfounded. We are not on survivor island. There’s not a limited amount of words and awards …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Leave a comment chat
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For the Love of Food

I don’t remember when my issues with food began, but I do know it’s always been my drug of choice. I’ve always found great pleasure in what I feed my body—and often great disgust with how I feel afterward.

When I was young, there was no judgment attached. Pizza parties and double scoops.

Those were the days of eating for pleasure.

In college, I had a love for fast food and convenience. But somewhere along the line, shame snuck in. Those weren’t healthy choices; they were choices I should hide.

Those were the days of self-conscious eating.

Eventually, I turned my attention toward my body. When I moved to Texas, the women all looked like movie stars. I remember feeling like I could never compete. I didn’t have money for the best makeup or a makeover, so I joined a gym instead.

Those were the days of compulsive exercise.

During that time, I met my husband, and …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs Inspiration Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Loving Yourself Motherhood The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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When You’re Not Ready to Remove the Swim Skirt

 

Last week when we were at the pool, my five-year-old daughter asked me when I was going to take off my dress and put on my swimsuit.

I didn’t have it in me to tell her I was already in my swimsuit; a skirt to cover my hips and thighs, fat and flab. So I just got in the water in my “dress,” thankful she’s innocent enough to not know my bathing suit of choice is a direct result of the body shame I suffer from.

There’s a bunch of body positive posts floating around the Internet this summer. How we should strip down and swim with our kids. No more sitting on the sidelines. Let it all hang out, literally.

But this isn’t one of those posts.

I’d love to tell you I ripped off my skirt, did a swan dive, and washed away my body image disorder for good—but that’s …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Loving Yourself Motherhood The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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New voices and perspectives; they do a body good

Did you enjoy the latest blog post from our new contributing HeartStories blogger, Stephanie Hanrahan about how to talk to your daughter about her body?  I so appreciate the wisdom she shared regarding positive body image, as well as practical tips on how to address this topic with our children, especially our daughters.  It was obviously born from a journey of work, learning, and dedication to self-love.

Stephanie has been a HeartStories Sister for nearly a year now.  The image above is the actual first moment we met.  She attended our Vines Around The World wine-tasting girls night out last August at Knotting Hill Place.  It was a spectacular night, for so many reasons, but this moment is one of the very best.  Stephanie waited patiently to introduce herself and share what that evening and concept of the HeartStories GNO meant to her.  She shared how much she valued authentic connections …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Our Story Leave a comment chat
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How has 2020 changed you?

When we returned from our refreshing Spring Break ski trip in March to our rapidly changing world, I “officially” paused blogging until I could get my bearings, and figure out what we were going to do about our plans for serving you through Girls Night Out, in the middle of the emerging worldwide pandemic.

Here we are, nearly four months later.   

I still don’t have my bearings.  I’m still not completely sure what we’re going to do about girls night out.  And I still haven’t written one single blog post . . . until today.  This is NOT my usual style.  I am a get-it-done-girl.  I make things happen, despite the odds.  I make decisions quickly.  Done is better than perfect.  I don’t muddle around with ifs, ands, or butts.

I think it’s fair to say 2020 has proven that people change.

2020 has proven that everything you’ve ever known can be uprooted …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Words Love In Action Our Story Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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