More than ten years of having fought for my own identity, my financial independence, and the freedom of choice, and yet here I stand at a strange crossroads. I look back and (this may sound boastful), but I marvel at the courage I had in me to come this far... and then I marvel at how I have changed this year.
People told me constantly I would never be complete without marriage, I laughed in their faces. They said, I must be a mother, without which I would never be complete. I said, if I wanted to, I'd adopt. They said there is a role for women that society has defined, and all those who dare cross it shall suffer. I said, to hell with you, I'm just as capable.
So I fought. And fought. and continued to fight. In the process, I forgot to tell myself I didn't need to be a superwoman. I could be vulnerable, and vulnerable doesn't mean weakness. I could fail, and that's ok. I could feel lonely, and that's natural.
And this year, I let all those people back in my head again... And slowly, I lost the true essence of my soul. Like rust to a boat, these thoughts whittled away at my identity... No girl must ever live life in limbo... Live to your fullest, and what is meant to be, shall be. Be the best version of yourself, anything less is slow death.
Jo, respect yourself enough to be the strong, individualistic, beautiful woman you are. Don't try to conform, it's not for you.
People told me constantly I would never be complete without marriage, I laughed in their faces. They said, I must be a mother, without which I would never be complete. I said, if I wanted to, I'd adopt. They said there is a role for women that society has defined, and all those who dare cross it shall suffer. I said, to hell with you, I'm just as capable.
So I fought. And fought. and continued to fight. In the process, I forgot to tell myself I didn't need to be a superwoman. I could be vulnerable, and vulnerable doesn't mean weakness. I could fail, and that's ok. I could feel lonely, and that's natural.
And this year, I let all those people back in my head again... And slowly, I lost the true essence of my soul. Like rust to a boat, these thoughts whittled away at my identity... No girl must ever live life in limbo... Live to your fullest, and what is meant to be, shall be. Be the best version of yourself, anything less is slow death.
Jo, respect yourself enough to be the strong, individualistic, beautiful woman you are. Don't try to conform, it's not for you.
