To be a Woman in today’s world is something to be celebrated, we’ve come so far since seams in stockings and a Lamb Roast in the oven by 6pm. Yes, with Trumpets and fists reaching for the sky in triumph, we’ve come so far. Or have we?
Empowerment is a word that has been Blogged, Shouted and Hashtagged about with full gumption over the past few years. The thing is, when a word is used so often, after a while, the sound of it and the meaning, becomes slightly warped. Like the word Cake, say it more than five times and it suddenly becomes an odd sounding version of a simple (and exciting!) little word.
How so? I hear you ask. Well, after scrolling through Instagram, the modern day gal can’t help but notice the millions of women supporting each other, raising each other up, and quoting inspiring words to help each other through the week. I say hip hip hooray and a hearty high five for this use of Social Media!
Real life though, that can be a little different, away from our phones, we have to live in this whirlwind world where we are reaching for careers, dreams, hopes and wanderlust all at the same time. With that, comes competition. With competition, comes comparison. A simple brunch with friends can turn into a ‘who’s going to the best location for holidays this year’ or whilst on the daily commute, we find ourselves comparing our appearance, weight, skin, accessories to that of others. It’s something that we can’t seem to help. In fact, in most circles it’s completely normal. It isn’t!
So how do we break the cycle? How do we step outside of this mentality and embrace the world of Equality and Acceptance on Social Platforms in our every day lives. The answer is this. Know your own worth. Take the time to sit, away from Technology and think about what you love the most about yourself. Then, think about the person you love the most, your closest friends, new people you have met or would like to meet. By the end of this paragraph, you’ll find most of those qualities are the same.
We are naturally drawn to people who have the same qualities we like about ourselves. Spend time with these people. Really get to know them. Take time for yourself, and if you don’t have it, or your too busy doing ‘that thing that just has to be done’, make it! Knowing who you are, and being okay with that, will give you the voice you need to make those Hashtags part of everyday conversation.
It can sound like a contradiction, scroll through inspiration on Social Media, but, hey, live in the real world, thing is, it’s about Balance. Once you know your own worth and are comfortable with the person you are, your strength, will inspire others. The quotes that pop up on your feed will mean so much more, the Brunch with friends will be more enjoyable, that comparison on the Daily Commute, can become a smile, or a compliment. Celebrating other Women, and their achievements in the real world, is a huge part of being Empowered from within. It starts with you.
Next time you find yourself comparing your Achievements, Looks, Worth, to that of another Woman. Take a moment, remember who you are, remember you are beautiful, and remember, she may be doing the exact same thing. Break the mould, use that little voice in your head for good, and lastly, be proud of everything you are, and every Woman you know in your life.
That, is Empowerment. In Real Life.
By Zarah Henderson
