There’s a difference between solitude and loneliness
‘There’s a difference between solitude and loneliness’
– Dame Maggie Smith, 1934-2024
In honour of losing such an inimitable woman recently, we thought it appropriate to quote something that the late Dame said herself, rather than one of her characters.
Tempting as it is to perhaps quote one of her more recent famed portrayals, that of the Dowager Countess of Grantham, we preferred something she said herself, as acerbic and brilliantly witty some of her lines were.
So why such a quote for a women’s networking group?
Most of our members are self-employed, and are the only ones working in their business, which can at times lend itself to loneliness. Oftentimes it is simply solitude.
And the difference?
Your state of mind.
During your business life, if you decide that it’s a bit of a lonely time for you, then no doubt it will be, because you will not search for the connections to help you along the way and make it a more enjoyable journey with friends and business allies to keep you company, as well as guide you.
That is where we come in.
Ladies That Do Networking is committed to providing a friendly environment where you can ask the silly questions, and the serious questions too. Where you can ask for company in the form of a one to one, a coffee date to chat about business or simply life, or to start the foundations of friendship – we have witnessed these many times.
There is a certain type of person and mindset that becomes self-employed, it is not for the faint of heart, or the weak of mind, so you are sure to find someone on your wavelength within the group.
Sometimes solitude is necessary to perform your work tasks, or because the very nature of your work you don’t have colleagues… yet. But solitude does not have to be loneliness, so get yourself out there and find yourself in your local networking groups – yes join more than one – and find your next customer, your next friend, and even maybe your next colleague.
Loneliness
The Office for National Statistics states that during December last year, 27% of people surveyed said they felt lonely, and over 3 million people suffer with chronic loneliness. It seems it is younger Brits who feel this way, though it can affect us all at times. To that end, we have a dedicated page within our WhatsApp community to allow for ad hoc conversations and connections that have nothing to do with business, and next year we are launching our quarterly socials in response to a greater need to just get out there and have fun outside of business, business, business. Because when we make time for ourselves, we have better business lives, and we do better for our customers.
Need more convincing of the great benefits of joining us at Ladies That Do Networking? Pop an email along to our member liaison here, and ask whatever question you have not found an answer to in our blogs or on our website.
Membership
Membership is straightforward, and you can purchase a visitor ticket to give us a try out if you’re worried if this will be the right space for you.
Then once you have filled out the membership forms where we ask you for links to your socials as well as other pertinent business information, then it’s a quick direct debit set up and you’re good to go.
We are committed to encouraging members to deliver spotlights about themselves and their businesses so that the Ladies can get to know them better, and we bring external visitors in to educate and inspire. Every month is not the same either, as we ask for something slightly different from you when delivering your 60 seconds, so that those who are prone to delivering the same thing every time will reveal a different side to themselves and their business.
We look forward to welcoming you to Ladies That Do Networking very soon.
Thank you for reading this month’s blog, There’s a difference between solitude and loneliness.
Kelly, Kelly, and Chloe,
Ladies That Do Networking