Netflix is nowadays jam-packed with all sorts of the binge-worthy coming of age hit shows, which beautifully shed light on what it takes to be a modern-day woman. Whether you prefer to watch the hilarious pubescent trials and tribulations in Big Mouth or enjoy Gillian Anderson as she plays a professional sex therapist/full-time single mom who still cannot wrap her head around love in Sex Education, these series are here to remind us that it doesn’t take just glamor and style to be a grown-up, but also wisdom and humility. That is why we have narrowed everything down to 4 most important facets that shape our feminine adulthood and help us take our lives by the reins.
If you have been struggling with (re)discovering your inner girl power, hopefully, this article will rekindle the fire inside you so you can remember who you are – strengths and vulnerabilities included.
Girl, you got some style!
Clothing and accessories are a reflection of who we are and opting for dignified pieces really show that we have come full bloom. Elegance certainly does come with age but it still takes an active effort to refine one’s beauty. For instance, ladies, we all know it is impossible to leave the house without a classy handbag that holds our entire world with us.
So here’s a question: Would you rather buy a cheap knock off that has a questionable lifespan or invest in authentic Italian leather that oozes sophistication? This isn’t about owning expensive garments but knowing how to recognize quality and using that fashion sense to your advantage. Remember, your style should reflect your uniqueness and character so don’t go sacrificing your identity for the sake of others. A real modern-day woman knows who she is and her clothes should display that confidence.
Enjoy your life
Nobody said that mom life was going to be easy but knowing how to enjoy it amid all that strife is what maturity is all about. We all have baggage that we carry from the past but clinging onto things that were prevents us from being grateful for what we currently have. Never underestimate the importance of hedonism and celebration. When it is well deserved, welcome the good things in life with both arms.
So if you have an opportunity to travel, for instance, by all means, explore the world. It teaches us that there is not just one take on life but billions. Make an effort to make holidays warm and inviting, whether it’s office Christmas celebrations, vacation with friends or family gatherings. And even if the pain you feel becomes too much, know that there is always somebody there who understands what you are going through and will offer you their ear. Life comprises of both the good and the bad. You can only learn from those experiences if you are to become a better version of yourself, not just as a modern-day woman, but also as a human being.
The body-ody-ody
To quote RuPaul, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?” Maturity means coming to terms with one’s body image and knowing that it takes diligent effort to make any planned changes. Yet with all the dietary and fitness regimes, the most important thing is to accept what is beneath your skin and own what you have. At the end of the day, the only person you should amaze every day is yourself. PhotoShop ain’t got nothing on you! Always remember you are gorgeous. If you feel like it, the whole world will follow you on that.
Mental Health
Us ladies tend to have accumulated a lot of aggravated energy from how the world treated us for centuries. As justified as that collective discontent is, we still have to forgive all the inflicted injustices in order to move on and prepare for future challenges. It ain’t easy being a modern-day woman but it is not simple for men either. We are all in it together and the best we can do is learn something from each other. Just like we are more emotionally complex and open to discussing our vulnerabilities in order to grow thicker skin so do men know when to put themselves first and work against all odds if they believe in something.
Introspection and having open conversations about our mental health is vital to our existence. Since us ladies have the upper hand in this department, maybe we can teach men to open up, too, and expand their emotional vocabulary. Sure, these just generalizations, but we all have a responsibility for one another and the world we are going to leave for our children. If we can’t set aside our differences and work on what joins us together, then what are we?
