Like many young women today, I tend to surround myself with men. I am currently attending a technology school that lives up to the typical stereotype and is predominately men, so it is, over all, easier to make friends with the gender that makes up the majority of campus. However, I do have a couple great female friends that have made my experience so much more interesting.

Every girl gives different reasons as to why she hangs out with guys more. I’m sure everyone has heard the “guys are less drama” defense. I personally have always been around guys so it’s where I feel most comfortable. Growing up with a big brother and his friends I’ve grown more accustomed to the way guys are than how to interact with my own gender.

In February, I took part in the very first women’s empowerment retreat at my college and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever been a part of. For a whole weekend, we talked and bonded over our similarities and differences. We built each other up letting our confidence rise to where they belong. Overall, I've learned a couple of really important things that I will hold close to my heart forever.

The first thing I've learned was that we all have our insecurities that tear us down piece by piece. This seems like a given, but I had never realized how much little things affected others in ways they may or may not affect me. Maybe you don’t think your hair is the right color. Or maybe you see yourself as just a touch too tall. Unfortunately, many of these insecurities are fueled by what we think guys may want. I’ll be honest; I have been there. I have worried over little things and thought someone wouldn’t like me because my eyebrows were a shade darker than my hair or because my nose is always a slight shade of red. I am more likely to explain these insecurities to my female friends because they can understand where I’m coming from and help build my confidence back up to where it should be.

The second thing I've learned is that everybody has had their own journey and that we should never take their story; but rather, we take the lesson we learn from it. Some people come from fortunate backgrounds, others come from struggles. Everyone worked their way to where they are now in different ways. As women, we are here to appreciate each other and our strengths in ways some can’t because we have more insight into the way each other’s brains would process everything.

The last thing I've learned, and possibly the most important, is that when we all stand together we are a force to be reckoned with. If we work together towards common goals, or support each other on their road to their own goals, we are so much more likely to get where we want to be. We received sweatshirts during our retreat that had on them the quote, “behind every strong woman is a tribe of strong women who have her back.” The second we band together to fight, our army gets stronger.

I am fortunate to have a tribe of strong women who have my back. I have never pictured myself surrounded by women, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am stronger now than I have ever been and I know the girls I have around me will keep building me up for as long as I allow it.