What we’re up to

The things people say when you’re not there: These words were posted by @jenniferpirtle_ and I didn’t stumble across them for weeks. They’re about a circle that @christine_chanway held, after going through the Sister Stories training.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “I was originally drawn to @sisterstoriesuk about two years ago (has it been that long?) as part of a concentrated effort to bring more connection and community into my life, as well as expand my female friendships.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For much of my life, I've been a bit of a lone wolf. I moved a fair amount in my youth, not becoming too attached to people or places. As an adult, I worked too hard - first, as a journalist, and later as a successful entrepreneur. I rarely asked for help, I rarely reached out to others, and I had very few female friendships outside the business world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As I grew older, however, I learned that connection and community were two things I missed greatly. And, as things happen, @sisterstoriesuk appeared, wonderful gatherings in which the premise is as simple as the name: a group of women sharing their words with one another in quiet reflection, with no advice-giving or agenda. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And from the very first circle, it felt like coming home. To a new home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Since then, I'm pleased to count several of the women I've met in these circles as dear friends. I've found comfort, solace, and insights from our shared struggles. I've belly-laughed and sobbed uncontrollably, too. I've witnessed the seasons, and ourselves, change. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And those evenings have opened up doors of all kinds. Each time I go it feels like a glorious wellspring of connection, conversation, and care. And I feel lucky to be able to then carry these qualities out into the world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Indeed, the world needs more of these "three C's"; more spaces in which they can grow and thrive. “ This is what it’s possible to create for your community by stepping forward into circle work. I’m inviting women to come and train with me in December- could this be you? See the link in my bio for more information or DM me to set up a chat 🙏
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we are so used to rushing in with words, solutions, comfort. How radical it is to simply listen. To just offer a space for another to be heard, deeply heard. Let’s listen louder 🙏🏻 pic by @holly #womenscircles #activelistening #community
Friends! Over the years, this account has morphed into a reflective space for sharing about my blossoming work with Sister Stories. It won’t have escaped many of your attention that this account has slowly become almost exclusively focused around that. So, I’m creating a private account for friends/family/people I’ve worked with: @gemmabrady.me who want to stay in touch. I’ll then making this the main account for all the Sister Stories activity happening in the UK (there’s a lot going on ☺️). It feels good to make this separation so if you’re one of my dear ones who has zero interest in this particular area of my work (I see you, it’s fine 🙋🏻‍♀️), you can follow my other account instead 💫
We grow accustomed to the Dark - When light is put away - As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp To witness her Goodbye - A Moment - We uncertain step For newness of the night - Then - fit our Vision to the Dark - And meet the Road - erect - And so of larger - Darknesses - Those Evenings of the Brain - When not a Moon disclose a sign - Or Star - come out - within - The Bravest - grope a little - And sometimes hit a Tree Directly in the Forehead - But as they learn to see - Either the Darkness alters - Or something in the sight Adjusts itself to Midnight - And Life steps almost straight. Emily Dickinson, We Grow Accustomed to the Dark 📷: @andrewdhsmith
Never has an entire day of rest been more needed. These autumn rainy days, I love you, you help me draw inwards and finally slow down 💫 Beautiful words by @morganharpernichols
This weekend has been full of exciting conversations with women who are considering stepping into opening up their hearts and homes* to facilitate Sister Stories circles. A theme has come up again and again is the one that I resonate with most deeply- what will people think of me, if I start doing this work? ⁣ ⁣ I could not relate more. It’s a fear that has wrapped itself around my throat many times. There is a deep uneasiness that can stem from stepping out and saying: “I believe that women gathering in this gentle, sacred space is important.”⁣ ⁣ We think that if we step out into doing heart-centred work, that somehow we’ll be exposed or ridiculed. That our lives will become smaller through people failing to understand and falling away. But really, when we step out boldly to do work that honours who we are and what we believe in, then our lives are immeasurably enriched, as we attract more of the kinds of people who “get” what we’re doing. The number of wonderful people in my life has grown by hundreds in the past 2-3 years.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ So, if you’ve heard me talk about Sister Stories and have felt that curious pull towards it, let me know and we can explore whether training as a facilitator is for you. No persuasion, no pushy sales pitch, just the exploration of whether it feels right. ⁣ ⁣ Contact me via DM or in the link in my bio.⁣ ⁣ Gemma⁣ ⁣ * PS- you don’t need to hold circles in your home. But it’s one of many lovely options ☺️
Do you feel the pull to a new challenge? To connect more deeply to yourself and others? To cultivate more real life community? To feel more capable and connected?⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣ Two years ago to the day, I undertook experiment that changed my life.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Emerging out of a period of quite serious illness and scared I might never be quite the same again, I decided to throw caution to the wind. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I did know that I wanted something that would connect me to a new group of women. I knew I wanted to challenge myself to do something that felt at the edges of my capability. And I knew storytelling was important to me. That was all I knew. So I decided to see what would happen if I combined all these things.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ And so I issued an invitation for women to come to something called “Sister Stories” and life hasn’t been the same since, but in a richer, more magical way than I ever could have expected. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It’s helped me have deeper compassion for myself and others than ever before. It’s increased my confidence in having my voice heard to such an extent that last weekend, I stood on a stage @kindfestival without my voice shaking. It’s helped me believe in the power of what can be possible when we go beyond what feels comfortable. ⁣ ⁣⁣ I believe in the value of creating spaces for women to gather in this way, to tell their stories in a supportive, judgement-free and often joyful way.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I want as many women as possible to have access to this space. And I’m not here to do it alone. ⁣ ⁣ For the last time this year, I am inviting a small group of women to train as Sister Stories Facilitators so you can to lead gatherings in their local area. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ If you want to develop your feminine leadership skills, hold space for other women and nurture a beautiful community, Sister Stories leadership will inspire and sustain you. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ On 6th-8th December, you are invited to join an intimate group of women will gather together in London to learn to facilitate and run the community, followed by a year of mentorship to help you get your circles up and running. Led by myself and the awe inspiring Sophie Howarth, we’ll give you all the tools you need to develo