Balham Women's Support Group Meetings
We are just starting four rather special groups covering From Overload to Conscious Strength.
Places will be limited so please let us know if you would like to attend and we can book you on.
Email or WhatsApp for more information – we look forward to seeing you soon.
This series has been designed as a process – not a one-time meeting, but a journey.
Each topic takes participants deeper: from becoming aware of role overload, through learning to set boundaries, discovering resources, to building a life in harmony with oneself.
It is a space without judgment, without comparison and without pressure – with attentiveness, support and mutual respect.
1. Me – overloaded with roles
A modern woman functions in many roles at the same time. It is often:
mother,
partner,
daughter,
babysitter,
employee,
organizer of family life,
emotional support for others.
Each of these roles carries responsibility. The problem arises when roles begin to dominate identity. A woman stops asking: “What do I need?” and starts living in a mode of responding to the needs of others.
What do we analyze during the meeting?
What roles do I currently play?
Which of them did I choose consciously and which “came by themselves”?
In which roles do I feel fulfilled and in which ones do I feel tired?
Can I separate my value from my effectiveness?
We discuss the so-called “invisible emotional work” – planning, remembering, taking care of the atmosphere, mediating conflicts. Women often take responsibility for the well-being of others, not noticing that their own resources are being depleted.
Purpose of the meeting
Realising that:
I am not just the sum of my duties,
I have the right to rest,
my identity is broader than social roles.
This is the first step to regaining yourself.
2. Boundaries that protect me
Boundaries are a difficult topic because they are often confused with selfishness. Many women were raised to believe that a “good woman” was available, understanding, and patient. Meanwhile, the lack of boundaries leads to overload, frustration and silent regret.
The types of boundaries we discuss:
Emotional boundaries
– I don’t take responsibility for other people’s feelings.– I have the right to my own emotions, even if they are “inconvenient”.
Time limits
– My time is valuable.
– I don’t have to be available 24/7.
Physical boundaries
– My body belongs to me.
– I have the right to space and safety.
Relational boundaries
– I don’t agree with disrespect.
– I do not tolerate manipulation or belittling.
We practice:
recognising moments when boundaries are crossed,
communicating needs in a calm and firm manner,
distinguishing guilt from real responsibility.
We emphasize that the limits:
they do not separate – they regulate proximity,
they don’t destroy relationships – they put them in order,
they are not an attack – they are protection.
Purpose of the meeting
Building the belief that: “I have the right to protect myself – without explaining or apologizing for my needs.”
3. My resources and strength
In the third meeting, we change the perspective – from shortages to resources. Women often see what they “need to improve” and rarely stop to acknowledge their strength.
What resources do we discover?
mental resilience,
life experiences,
intuition,
empathy,
ability to adapt,
creativity,
organisation skills,
perseverance in crisis.
We analyze difficult moments from the past and ask:
What helped me then?
What features were revealed in this situation?
What strength did I discover in myself?
This meeting builds a sense of agency. Instead of the narrative: “I can’t cope”, awareness appears:
“I’ve done it many times before.”
An important element
We learn to accept compliments and recognition – without belittling ourselves. For many women this is a new experience.
Purpose of the meeting
Strengthening self-esteem and consolidating the belief: “I have resources within me that allow me to cope with challenges.”
4. I take care of myself on my terms
The last meeting integrates the entire process. If I know who I am beyond my roles, I can set boundaries and I see my resources – how can I build my everyday life more in harmony with myself?
We are talking about:redefining the concept of “self-care” (it’s not just a spa or a free evening),
energy management, not just time management,
conscious choices,
giving up comparisons.
I take care of myself on my terms means:
I listen to my body
I plan my rest just like I plan my duties,
I don’t have to meet all expectations,
I allow myself to be imperfect.
We discuss the topic of the inner critic – the voice that says “you should do more”. We learn to turn it into a supporting voice.
We create a personal plan
Each participant develops:
one boundary I want to introduce,
one self-care habit
one belief he wants to change.
Purpose of the meeting
Strengthening autonomy and the sense of influence over one’s own life.
Summary of the entire series
This four-part process guides the woman:
from automatic functioning in roles
→ to conscious identity,
from the lack of borders
→ to protect yourself,
from focusing on the shortcomings
→ to spot resources,
from living according to other people’s expectations
→ to live according to your own rules.
A support group is a space where you can:
speak without fear of judgment,
hear “I feel the same way”
regain contact with your own voice.