This week's mantra really means a lot to me. I feel like I’m constantly being viewed as inferior or weak because I am sensitive. The same goes for being feminine, in a lot of ways. I don’t think that sensitivity and femininity are one in the same, but for a lot of people, they do go hand in hand. Being either of these things does not make me any less of a person or a feminist. I just happen to cry a lot, and prefer the color pink. That’s alright.
I think one of the most important things that I’ve realized in my twenty-five years of life, is that it’s okay to be who you are. As a sociology minor in college, I realize that a lot of my worldviews and personal preferences may have been socially constructed, but who cares? Girly things make me happy. If they don’t make you happy, that’s fine too! Let’s all just be who we are.
There’s something to be said about a woman who takes pride in how she looks, and makes a point to wear skirts as often as she can. Or who loves to wear high heels or dresses or bright red lipstick.
Femininity doesn’t necessarily mean bows and pink and glitter everywhere, I suppose. It’s completely subjective, and obviously up for interpretation. Maybe it just means embracing yourself as a woman, and doing whatever feels natural to you. It just so happens that keeping a pretty home, dressing my dog in argyle sweaters, and painting my nails comes naturally to me.
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4 comments:
Wow, I think the fact that you said that femininity is embracing who you are as a woman hit the nail on the head! Everyone is different! I think it's awesome that you love all these super girly things! But not everyone does and that's ok too.
I just had a very similar conversation about this yesterday. I was a part of the women's groups at my school and have been a long time activist and feminist, but I am most definitely girly. I sometimes feel judged by other activists, particularly when I attend rallies or protests, because I don't look like the stereotypical "radical woman." I really enjoy lace and velvet, wear bows and bobby socks, and I spend a lot of time shopping. None of these things make me any less intelligent or capable.
Zooey Deschanel said something that I think is right on the money for girls like us: "That people equate being girlie with being nonthreatening … I mean, I can't think of a more blatant example of playing into exactly the thing that we're trying to fight against. I can't be girlie? I think the fact that people are associating being girlie with weakness, that needs to be examined. I don't think that it undermines my power at all."
I dont understand people who don't think feminie and strong go together. I think Kate Middleton is a great example: strong, philanthrophic and classy as can be. It helps her cause that she is always put together. Id much rather her as a role model to my kids than a kardashian!
I completely agree with you! I love being feminine and it's definitely strong in my opinion. I think a lot of people I know are scared to embrace it so they don't. I just go with what I'm comfortable with, and I like my famininity. Thanks for the reminder!
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