Shine Bright on International Women’s Day

Shine Theory is recognizing that true confidence is infectious, and if someone is tearing you down or targeting you as competition, it's often because they are lacking in confidence or support themselves. By surrounding ourselves with empowered women, and being a supportive and encouraging presence for others, we can all shine brighter together.

In honor of International Women’s Day, I wanted to write about Shine Theory! Shine Theory is a concept that was first introduced by California based journalist Ann Friedman in 2013. She writes that Shine Theory is recognizing that true confidence is infectious, and if someone is tearing you down or targeting you as competition, it's often because they are lacking in confidence or support themselves.

The idea behind shine theory is that instead of feeling threatened by empowered or successful women, we should strive to surround ourselves with them and collectively lift each other up. The theory posits that by surrounding ourselves with these women, we can all shine brighter together. We are all better off when we are surrounded by people who inspire us, challenge us, and support us. Rather than feeling competitive or jealous of others' success, we should embrace it and use it as a way to motivate ourselves to be better. One of the key tenets of shine theory is that it is not a one-way street. It's not just about finding successful women to surround yourself with, but also about being a supportive and encouraging presence for others. By lifting others up, we can create a positive feedback loop that benefits everyone involved.

This theory is particularly important for women and other marginalized groups who may feel like they are in competition with each other for limited resources and opportunities. By supporting each other, we can create a network of empowered, successful women who can help lift each other up and create positive change in the world. In a world that often pits us against each other, shine theory offers a refreshing and empowering perspective. By embracing this philosophy, we can all work together to create a brighter, more successful future.

I started running women’s therapy groups with this in mind. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where women can gather to support one another through difficult times, lift each other up with validation, coping skills, insights and inspiration, and help to empower one another. We are all in this together. Women’s group therapy helps us all tap into our light and shine brighter!

Kaci Smith, LMFT 

I am a licensed psychotherapist in California. I run online, drop-in therapy groups for women in California year round. I also offer online psycho-educational workshops. Visit my website to learn more or e-mail me anytime.