More Female: International Women’s Day

Unpopular opinion: We are not the same. Men and Women. We’re not the same. 

We are not equal, and it was intended to be this way.

In our attempts to attain equality, let us not deny the feminine’s overarching power. No matter how much we strive to become equal, we will not win. 

It’s unfair and foolish: A grave mistake to equalize male and female. 

We are not the same.

There’s a trend on tiktok encouraging females to match the communication styles of our male counterparts. You know, less “please,” less “I think” statements and absolutely NO exclamation points. This makes you powerful. Assertive. Likely to be taken more seriously. 

Ladies, I may be alone on this one, but I have absolutely no interest in being “more like” my male counterparts. 

I will continue using an exclamation point in my email signature. I will continue saying things like “I think,” “I believe,” “What if we…?” I will continue to speak up.

Don’t get me wrong, I hear the fight for feminism. I have, unfortunately, experienced my fair share of discrimination and sexist jokes. But listen, we’ve become so preoccupied with proving that we can do whatever men can do that we’ve completely robbed ourselves of our divine feminine power: 

Our fundamental, biological, spiritual capacity to do everything men. can’t. do. 

I get it. In reference to my career, I’m a female in a man’s world. Nine times out of ten, I am the only female in the room. Me and a bunch of dudes. 

You don’t think I feel alone in this? I stick out like a sore thumb: mascara, pink lipstick, the ever-so-kind gesture, “Let me know how I can help.” (Psh. Females and our natural tendency to nurture. Classic). 

That takes guts. To feel like a fish out of water. 

But I don’t let that stop me. Yes, there are times when my physical strength does not match that of a man’s. That forces me to get creative, to be patient, to get scrappy. To get it done my way, which sometimes turns out better for everyone, in my opinion. (If you’ve had to brace a fence post gate, you know what I mean).

Persist. Persist. Persist.

There are times when I’m not as mechanically-minded, yet I see the other side of the picture. I bring a perspective that challenges that of my male counterparts. 

Ladies, watching other women (young women, particularly) submit to this radical idea that the only way for us to be of value in the world is to become more like men while simultaneously degrading male power is breaking my heart. 

This completely invalidates our woman-ness. Don’t be seduced by the narrative that men are suppressing women. I beg to differ. I have the privilege of working with men every day who empower me, challenge me, and rely on me to lead. (And also count on me for snacks, duct tape, hats, sunscreen, ratchet straps. ‘Cause let’s be honest. Women always have that one Ziploc full of essentials).

We were created to be complementary to one another. It is not our duty to dethrone men.

You can agree to disagree, but I’ll say this LOUD and PROUD:

I quite prefer having feminine energy. 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I invite you to repeat after me:

I am a divine female.

I love that I’m communal and competitive. 

I love that I’m nurturing and negotioative. 

I love that I’m emotional and logical.

I love that I’m tough and kind.

I love that I’m quiet and bold.

I love that I’m courageous, warm, ambitious, humble, astute, diligent, analytical, witty, entrepreneurial, creative, inclusive, curious, adventurous, resilient, empowered. 

I love that I am woman, and I love that I am different. 

Women: May we harness our power. May we continue to prop each other up. May we celebrate each other, in all of our uniqueness. May we honor the women before us and may we blaze the trail for the women after us. May we have a seat at the table, and may we invite others to join, too. 

May we lean into the things that make us MORE FEMALE.

PS-For what it’s worth, I get about 20 texts a day from different men (all farmers, no less)…I’m gonna say 8/10 use an exclamation point after thanks. So use the damn !!! if you like ‘em!