Happy International Women’s Day!
Happy International Women’s Day to all my girls out there. If you identify as a woman, I am raising my glass to you today. I’m emotional writing this post for a variety of reasons. I’ve never put much thought into this day, but I think being more isolated from people has made me more introspective lately. I LOVE being a woman, and I find it tough at times. I personally think women are wired to be more caring and compassionate. I also think we put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly all the time and if we don’t we feel like we are failing. Can you relate to this?
I look up to so many women and want to tell you about one of them, specifically. It’s my 86 year old Grandma, Jeanne (I call her GJ, Matt calls her Jeannie Jeans). GJ raised my mom and uncle pretty much solo since they were little. She went to college, made a career, and raised a family. She’s tough, she’s strong, she’s smart and she’s the best.
There’s so many qualities I love about her, but one that really stands out is her ability to be flexible and grateful at the same time. She seems to adjust to life circumstances, even if they feel difficult. She accepts what’s happening and is grateful in the moment. Sometimes when I’m having a hard day, or I don’t feel confident in myself I literally say “hey, you come from a long line of strong women, you got this”.
And you know what, you got this too. Whether you know it or not, you came from a long line of strong women too. Think of how many generations of strong women came before us and how they shape us into the women we are today. I have a little challenge for you (and myself) today. What if we did just a little more for ourselves today?
I invite you to do one or more of the following with me:
Write this down: “I am human and I am doing a great job. I am learning and growing and in this moment, I am right where I need to be”.
Take a moment to sit, be silent, and think about 5 things you love about yourself
Listen to your favorite song and dance around your room
Run yourself a bubble bath and take 10 deep breaths
Repeat to yourself “I am capable, I am strong, I am enough”
Reach out to one woman that you love and tell her why