Hear me roar…if that’s okay with you.
Womanhood
Being a woman is really fucking hard.
There is no playbook for this.
Speak your truth, but softly, politely, and with the right tone.
Always be nice to everyone, even those who don’t deserve it.
Smile! You’re a woman! Be happy! Don’t walk around frowning all day!
Get married and have babies—that’s what you do! What if I don’t want to?
Have clear skin, dress well, have perfectly manicured nails, wear heels. What if I’m a florist?
Be beautiful, look young, be in shape, but not *too* in shape. Look young, but not *too* young. Don’t get work done; it looks fake. But don’t have wrinkles. Be natural, be natural, be natural.
Label yourself. Tell us exactly who you are and never change your mind. Pick a side and never falter. Don’t be ever-changing. Remain the same—label yourself and stick to it. Don’t be ambiguous, because we don’t want ambiguity. We want black-and-white terms for who you are, so we can digest them, understand them, and mold you into who *we* want you to be. So tell us who you are. Tell us your label. Tell us what you like. Tell us what you don’t like—and don’t ever think about changing your mind.
If my feelings don’t fit exactly into your mold of how I should feel, I’m crazy. And if I don’t feel, I’m cold and mean. I can never win, so I won’t.
Be fun and easy-going, laugh when you’re supposed to, be the life of the party. But I hate parties.
Don’t be aggressive—relax, chill out.
Chill out…
Come fulfill my every wish and be a blow-up girlfriend, but don’t have opinions, wants, needs, or get angry.
Be successful on your own and make money, but don’t set boundaries. Do everything for free and smile and wave.
Do everything right at all times, never make mistakes, never have a past, and be a life-sized plastic figurine.
Be independent, don’t settle. Find the right person. Feel safe living in a house alone. Feel safe walking the dog alone at night. Be able to handle everything yourself.
I don’t think men walk around holding their breath, waiting for the next catcall. Walk into the subway and try to find the safest place to stand. I don’t think men think about what time to walk their dogs so they’re not alone, or what they’d do if someone broke into their apartment.
I love being a woman. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love doing it with makeup, and I love running a business. I love picking out an outfit, and I love playing chess. I love sitting at a fashion show, and I love hiking. I love being a strong leader, and I love being taken care of.
Many things can be true at once. Women are multifaceted, paradoxical beings to be honored.
🤍