Women Who Code - Empowering women to excel in tech careers

Welcome to this month’s Code of Balance – your wellness toolkit for diverse technologists. Let’s talk about connections and the power of friendship in professional settings. Explore this toolkit through thought-provoking self-reflection, valuable resources, cool tools, affirmations to guide you through your busy days, and a curated Spotify playlist for you and your bestie to jam to. In a world where success is often measured by metrics and milestones, perhaps the greatest achievement of all is the bonds we forge along the way.

Beyond job titles and organizational structures, genuine connections and cool friendships work together in a workplace community. Fostering these connections isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s an investment in everyone’s well-being. Stress is a constant companion in the workplace; in fact, a 2021 study by Asana, examined a cohort of more than 10,000 workers spanning seven countries, revealing that around 70% of individuals encountered burnout and/or imposter syndrome, with 42% of respondents having experienced both. Why is this important for employee wellness and overall organizational success?

The profound impact of workplace connections on professional wellness emerges as a beacon of resilience and shared success. Studies consistently show that friendships and connections improve your well-being, decrease stress, and support your health, which impacts your ability to thrive in your career. Navigating your career as a diverse technologist is already challenging — this toolkit will support you so that you don’t have to journey alone.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only this meeting that a new world is born.” ― Anaïs Nin

❣️Just a reminder, we are not mental health professionals – just your techie besties sharing what works for us! If you are experiencing any health issues or mental health crises in the workplace, please contact your People Team/HR or a mental health professional.

Wellness Toolkit: Connection

🎧 We encourage starting this month’s February “Connections” Playlist as you go through the rest of the toolkit.

Checking In

Are you making an effort to create and maintain meaningful connections that can support your personal and professional wellness?

Explore this self-reflection check-in to dive deeper into your 2024 self-discovery and nurture your well-being in alignment with our monthly theme. Take a moment, sip some water, vibe with our curated playlist, and breathe.

Suppose you answered “Yes” to all or most of these questions; great work! You are working toward building connections that will nourish your mental and career wellness.

If you answered “No,” that’s okay! Keep reading for tools and resources to help you build more connections in 2024!

Tools We Love for Connecting!

Check out some tools you might love for setting cool and realistic goals in 2024. Below, you’ll find some great examples of apps, books, podcasts, and more to empower you each month to thrive on your wellness journey!

📱Apps

Meetup | Find a community and events.
Bumble BFF | Find new friends in your community.

😎 Cool Things

Mentor Cruise | Site for finding or becoming a mentor.
Coworker Edition & Friendship Edition | {THE AND} card game is a question and prompt card game asking bigger questions to get to know someone beyond the surface.
Galentine’s Day Gifts | Here’s to celebrating all kinds of love — show your appreciation for the best friends in your life.

📺 Media

🧘🏼‍♀️ WWCode Content

Affirmations for Connection

An affirmation is a positive statement you say or think that reinforces self-belief or personal goals. Research tells us that affirmations work because of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning. You can change your brain by changing your thinking, which can support a more constructive mindset.

Take a few minutes, find a quiet place, and listen to this month’s WWCode affirmations on making connections as a diverse technologist:

I am building a strong professional network that supports and uplifts my personal and career growth.
I am confident in my ability to initiate and cultivate meaningful relationships.
Each connection I make brings valuable insights and perspectives into my life.
I am open to receiving guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals.
I am creating a supportive circle of colleagues who inspire and motivate me.
I attract positive and like-minded individuals who contribute to my success.
I celebrate the diversity of voices and experiences within my professional connections.
I am a valuable professional community member, and my contributions matter.
I am confident in reaching out to others and expressing my thoughts and ideas.
I am a source of inspiration and encouragement to those around me.

Wellness Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, free and confidential 24-hour support is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or call or text 988.

Previous WWCode Wellness Toolkits