The Power of Sisterhood
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.
Why Women Need Connection Now More Than Ever
There’s something truly magical that happens when like-minded women come together. You can feel it in the room, an electric kind of energy made of empathy, honesty, and shared strength. It’s in the way we look at one another, really look. It’s in the words we speak, and sometimes, in the silence we hold.
When women connect deeply, beyond the surface, something shifts. Something heals. We remember that we’re not alone.
When You Meet the Right Women, Everything Changes
Just last week, I had the privilege of speaking with a few incredible women. Brave, beautiful, powerful women. Women who weren’t afraid to share their stories, the messy, real, inspiring ones. And in every conversation, I felt it: support. Not judgment. Not competition. Just… space. To be. To feel. To grow.
There have been moments in my life when I longed for that kind of support and didn’t have it. When I felt like I had to navigate everything on my own. But over time, I’ve learned this: community isn’t a luxury. For us, as women, it’s a lifeline.
How did an American woman end up in the Netherlands?
I graduated college in NY in 1990 and went to Europe that summer for a short vacation before I was supposed to start work as a therapist in NY that September. I never came back. I’m still on vacation! I was on a train in Prague that July and someone heard me speaking English. They asked me if I wanted a job at the very first English school there. Of course, I said YES! I put my job on hold in NY, and taught English in Prague for a year in 1990. I was the first person from Western Europe to do so. I got 70 cents an hour and had total freedom to create my own program to teach adults who had to speak English for work. It was a huge challenge, as I didn’t speak Czech and English was forbidden until just a few months before I started working there.
People were arrested for playing a Beatles record in their own homes. I had to really use my creativity to create a program that was effective yet fun. But then there was a huge plot twist. Just before I was supposed to start, I was using the last few days of my Interrail pass, and on August 2, I was in Barcelona for a weekend. There, I met a fabulous Dutchman in the middle of the night. It was a totally random encounter. We fell in love, but I had to go and work in Prague a few days later, as I had already signed a contract (in Russian, actually, I didn’t understand a word, but I completely trusted the woman who hired me). So I tried to get that man off my mind, and off I went to start an exciting new adventure in Prague. That hot Dutchman and I wrote letters for a year.
He asked me to come and live with him in the Netherlands. I said, ‘You are amazing, but you are all I know about the Netherlands. That’s not enough. I will need a job if we will have a future together.’ So, he arranged an interview for me at the most prestigious language institute of the Netherlands. I worked there for 11 years but left in 2001 to follow my dream – to become the First Personal English Coach in the Netherlands.
Why we need female community
In a world that so often encourages us to compare, compete, or keep our guard up, a safe space with other women is sacred. It allows us to breathe. To let our shoulders drop. To say, “this is me,” and know that it’s enough.
Having a community of supportive women is not about always agreeing. It’s about feeling seen. About being reminded of who you are when you forget. About hearing, “I’ve been there too,” when you thought you were the only one.
Especially as we grow older, it becomes even more vital. Our roles shift. Our priorities change. And sometimes, we need a reminder that we’re still allowed to dream, to evolve, and to be held, not just by ourselves, but by others.
How did an American woman end up in the Netherlands?
I graduated college in NY in 1990 and went to Europe that summer for a short vacation before I was supposed to start work as a therapist in NY that September. I never came back. I’m still on vacation! I was on a train in Prague that July and someone heard me speaking English. They asked me if I wanted a job at the very first English school there. Of course, I said YES! I put my job on hold in NY, and taught English in Prague for a year in 1990. I was the first person from Western Europe to do so. I got 70 cents an hour and had total freedom to create my own program to teach adults who had to speak English for work. It was a huge challenge, as I didn’t speak Czech and English was forbidden until just a few months before I started working there.
People were arrested for playing a Beatles record in their own homes. I had to really use my creativity to create a program that was effective yet fun. But then there was a huge plot twist. Just before I was supposed to start, I was using the last few days of my Interrail pass, and on August 2, I was in Barcelona for a weekend. There, I met a fabulous Dutchman in the middle of the night. It was a totally random encounter. We fell in love, but I had to go and work in Prague a few days later, as I had already signed a contract (in Russian, actually, I didn’t understand a word, but I completely trusted the woman who hired me). So I tried to get that man off my mind, and off I went to start an exciting new adventure in Prague. That hot Dutchman and I wrote letters for a year.
He asked me to come and live with him in the Netherlands. I said, ‘You are amazing, but you are all I know about the Netherlands. That’s not enough. I will need a job if we will have a future together.’ So, he arranged an interview for me at the most prestigious language institute of the Netherlands. I worked there for 11 years but left in 2001 to follow my dream – to become the First Personal English Coach in the Netherlands.
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.
Integer nec odio.
How to Find Your Circle in a Modern World
Finding your people doesn’t always happen naturally, and that’s okay. In today’s digital world, connection can start in the most unexpected places. On Instagram, for example. When you follow women who speak your language, not just your native one, but the emotional one it opens doors. One thoughtful comment, one message, one shared experience. That’s all it takes.
The AndBloom community is proof of this. What began as a celebration of women over 40 has become something much deeper: a living, breathing network of women lifting each other up, one story at a time. Through posts, comments, and behind-the-scenes conversations, real friendships have formed. Real support. Real connection.
How did an American woman end up in the Netherlands?
I graduated college in NY in 1990 and went to Europe that summer for a short vacation before I was supposed to start work as a therapist in NY that September. I never came back. I’m still on vacation! I was on a train in Prague that July and someone heard me speaking English. They asked me if I wanted a job at the very first English school there. Of course, I said YES! I put my job on hold in NY, and taught English in Prague for a year in 1990. I was the first person from Western Europe to do so. I got 70 cents an hour and had total freedom to create my own program to teach adults who had to speak English for work. It was a huge challenge, as I didn’t speak Czech and English was forbidden until just a few months before I started working there.
People were arrested for playing a Beatles record in their own homes. I had to really use my creativity to create a program that was effective yet fun. But then there was a huge plot twist. Just before I was supposed to start, I was using the last few days of my Interrail pass, and on August 2, I was in Barcelona for a weekend. There, I met a fabulous Dutchman in the middle of the night. It was a totally random encounter. We fell in love, but I had to go and work in Prague a few days later, as I had already signed a contract (in Russian, actually, I didn’t understand a word, but I completely trusted the woman who hired me). So I tried to get that man off my mind, and off I went to start an exciting new adventure in Prague. That hot Dutchman and I wrote letters for a year.
He asked me to come and live with him in the Netherlands. I said, ‘You are amazing, but you are all I know about the Netherlands. That’s not enough. I will need a job if we will have a future together.’ So, he arranged an interview for me at the most prestigious language institute of the Netherlands. I worked there for 11 years but left in 2001 to follow my dream – to become the First Personal English Coach in the Netherlands.
We Rise by Lifting Others
If you’ve been longing for a sense of belonging, please know: you’re not the only one. And it’s never too late to find your people.
Start small. Be brave. Share your truth. Support another woman in hers.
Because when we empower each other, we empower ourselves.
Sisterhood isn’t just a nice idea — it’s the foundation for everything beautiful we can build together.
How did an American woman end up in the Netherlands?
I graduated college in NY in 1990 and went to Europe that summer for a short vacation before I was supposed to start work as a therapist in NY that September. I never came back. I’m still on vacation! I was on a train in Prague that July and someone heard me speaking English. They asked me if I wanted a job at the very first English school there. Of course, I said YES! I put my job on hold in NY, and taught English in Prague for a year in 1990. I was the first person from Western Europe to do so. I got 70 cents an hour and had total freedom to create my own program to teach adults who had to speak English for work. It was a huge challenge, as I didn’t speak Czech and English was forbidden until just a few months before I started working there.
People were arrested for playing a Beatles record in their own homes. I had to really use my creativity to create a program that was effective yet fun. But then there was a huge plot twist. Just before I was supposed to start, I was using the last few days of my Interrail pass, and on August 2, I was in Barcelona for a weekend. There, I met a fabulous Dutchman in the middle of the night. It was a totally random encounter. We fell in love, but I had to go and work in Prague a few days later, as I had already signed a contract (in Russian, actually, I didn’t understand a word, but I completely trusted the woman who hired me). So I tried to get that man off my mind, and off I went to start an exciting new adventure in Prague. That hot Dutchman and I wrote letters for a year.
He asked me to come and live with him in the Netherlands. I said, ‘You are amazing, but you are all I know about the Netherlands. That’s not enough. I will need a job if we will have a future together.’ So, he arranged an interview for me at the most prestigious language institute of the Netherlands. I worked there for 11 years but left in 2001 to follow my dream – to become the First Personal English Coach in the Netherlands.
Shop New Items:
What If You Struggle to Find Connection?
If you're reading this and thinking, “That sounds beautiful… but I haven’t found that yet” — know this: you're not alone. Many women, at every stage of life, quietly long for deeper connection and a sense of belonging, but don’t know where to start. And that’s okay.
Here are a few gentle steps you can take:
Start with one honest moment. Whether it's online or in real life, open up just a little more than you normally would. Share something real. You might be surprised by how others respond.
Seek out spaces where depth is welcome. Not every group, page, or event is created equal. Look for communities (like AndBloom) that celebrate vulnerability, growth, and authenticity — not perfection.
Let go of the pressure to “fit in.” Real connection comes when you're true to yourself, not when you’re trying to meet expectations. The right people will recognize your light.
Reach out, even if it feels awkward. Send the message. Leave the comment. Ask someone for coffee. Connection is a two-way street, and often, others are just waiting for someone to go first.
Remember: it takes time. Building community doesn't happen overnight. But every small step you take is a seed planted. Be patient with yourself — and with the process.
You are not too late. You are not too much. And you are absolutely worthy of meaningful connection.
How did an American woman end up in the Netherlands?
I graduated college in NY in 1990 and went to Europe that summer for a short vacation before I was supposed to start work as a therapist in NY that September. I never came back. I’m still on vacation! I was on a train in Prague that July and someone heard me speaking English. They asked me if I wanted a job at the very first English school there. Of course, I said YES! I put my job on hold in NY, and taught English in Prague for a year in 1990. I was the first person from Western Europe to do so. I got 70 cents an hour and had total freedom to create my own program to teach adults who had to speak English for work. It was a huge challenge, as I didn’t speak Czech and English was forbidden until just a few months before I started working there.
People were arrested for playing a Beatles record in their own homes. I had to really use my creativity to create a program that was effective yet fun. But then there was a huge plot twist. Just before I was supposed to start, I was using the last few days of my Interrail pass, and on August 2, I was in Barcelona for a weekend. There, I met a fabulous Dutchman in the middle of the night. It was a totally random encounter. We fell in love, but I had to go and work in Prague a few days later, as I had already signed a contract (in Russian, actually, I didn’t understand a word, but I completely trusted the woman who hired me). So I tried to get that man off my mind, and off I went to start an exciting new adventure in Prague. That hot Dutchman and I wrote letters for a year.
He asked me to come and live with him in the Netherlands. I said, ‘You are amazing, but you are all I know about the Netherlands. That’s not enough. I will need a job if we will have a future together.’ So, he arranged an interview for me at the most prestigious language institute of the Netherlands. I worked there for 11 years but left in 2001 to follow my dream – to become the First Personal English Coach in the Netherlands.
