The Watering Whole

posted on June 28, 2018

Hi friends! Welcome back to the “Resilient Woman” series. Glad you stopped by.

This weeks guest is Andrea Joy and boy is she an extension of her name. Andrea is such a delight to converse with that one must definitely have her in their tool bag of life. Her passion revolves around finances so who isn’t affected here. I am so grateful she participated in the series. Read on as she shares her candid thoughts on the Resilient Woman.

Andrea, tell us about yourself.

My name is Andrea Joy, and my goal with my blog www.savingjoyfully.com is to help you make more and save more money every month. My website shares some of the ways I have learned over the years to stretch my budget every month. My biggest interests are saving money, being more frugal, and learning new ways to make extra money on the side.

That is awesome! Well said. Everyone is impacted by money so it only stands to reason the need to be wise and frugal with it.

So Andrea, in today’s society when it is mentioned concerning the resilient or strong woman, to you…

TWH- What is your definition of a strong woman?

A strong woman is a woman that no matter what life throws at her she is able to rise above it. A strong woman may go through an abusive relationship, custody battle, divorce, loss of a child or spouse, loss of a job and still give it all she has each time. A strong woman must learn to recognize her feelings and accept them, but also learn to think and make choices based on what is best for her life not just based on her feelings.

TWH- A resilient woman possesses these qualities. Explain. 

Hard working, she is willing to work through all that life throws at her and yet never give up. She is always determined to make it no matter what situation she is dealing with and is always choosing to rise above the hard times. She is honest about her feelings and about where she has come from throughout every area of her life and her relationships. She displays courage as she accepts what she has been through and often deals with the hardest things a person can ever have to deal with. Despite everything she goes through she does all of this in a way that she can share her triumphs and inspire others.

TWH- Could you name a few situations that highlight or showcase the resilient women in action?

Having a family situation with my siblings who had been removed from their home and the opportunity for me to decide whether to step in and become their caregivers. I knew the girls, who were both teenagers at that time, needed my help and support. At that time there was no question in my mind what had to be done, I had to let them live with me. The situation was very hard and despite the emotional roller coaster and the family that would choose to turn on me for my choices, I knew what I had to do. I will never regret this even though it changed my own life entirely and broke all of our hearts at times throughout the process.

TWH- What barriers if any may the resilient women encounter?

People who do not understand her choices, and her struggles. Many people will hurt her along the way and yet she will always find a way to rise above the challenges and pain life throws her way. The resilient woman will have to be strong in situations that hurt very badly and often make her question her own strength. This same woman will discover what she is really made of through these choices and will continue to pursue the right path for her life with dignity and persistence.

TWH- Is society recognizing the resilient women today and if so how?

Society does not always recognize the resilient woman because we look just like any other woman. Women are not always seen as strong and capable of great things. Depending on the strength and courage a woman possesses in the difficult times in her life she can stand out and shine in her life as she lives this life of courage. This is how you can recognize a resilient woman, she will be the one that despite everything life throws at her she is still working towards her goals and inspiring others.

TWH- Who is your example of a strong woman? If more, it’s ok to share that too.

My Grandmother was always my best example of a resilient woman. She changed my entire view of women and made me the woman that I am today. She was a child who watched her mother die of a terrible illness while her father left her and her brother to raise themselves. She then moved in with her aunt and uncle who raised her and her brother until she graduated. She married young and married an abusive man and then was forced to raise her own 4 children alone for years until she met her second husband. My Grandmother was the most kind and caring woman that anyone would ever meet. My family used to say that she would give you the shirt off her back and they honestly were right. She was so loving and cared so much about others and if it were not for my Grandmother’s love in my life I would have been a very different woman today.

TWH- Do you feel there are limits to being a strong woman?

Everyone has their limits and the strongest women usually have someone that they can talk to and confide in. They recognize that they cannot always do everything alone and they need the love and support of others in their lives. A strong woman will ask someone she can trust for help when necessary.

TWH- If you could help guide someone to being a strong woman how would you help them?

I would say recognize that you are strong and capable because of who you are not because of anything else. I would tell her that whatever you put your mind to, and work hard towards is possible. I would encourage her to keep believing and working towards her dreams. We all need the help of others along the way in our lives so I would encourage her to surround herself with others who support and inspire her to be the best version of herself.

Thanks so much, Andrea for participating and sharing your thoughts. It has been my pleasure to provide a platform for us all to be enlightened as to today’s strong and woman.

Well, there you have it, folks. I told you she was a delight. Stay connected with her on these social media outlets. Till next post, stay upbeat and encouraged!

Twitter https://twitter.com/savingjoyfully

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-joy-6271b115b

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/savingjoyfully/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/savingjoyfullycom-973149492832126/

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/savingjoyfully/overview/

Blog/website http://savingjoyfully.com/