You’re too sensitive. You’re too emotional. It’s not safe for a pretty girl like you to travel alone. You climbed to the top of that yourself? Weren’t you scared? That’s your beefed up car?! I thought it was a mans. Your arms look like a dudes. You know how to change a tire? That’s rare for a girl. Why are you mad, is it because you’re on your period?
I am sensitive, not because I am a girl but because I choose to feel deeply. I am emotional not because I am a girl but because I am empathetic. I travel alone without fear because I want to see the world. I’ve climbed to the top of many mountains, myself, while leading men. Many times I was scared, but because I am a girl, I overlooked the fear and pushed on. I drive a lifted 4Runner with all the works because it takes me to the places that most other cars can’t. I changed it’s 18” tires by myself because I had to. My arms are defined because I’ve climbed competitively for 12 years, swam for 16 and did gymnastics for 5. I’m mad because I’m allowed to be whenever the hell I want to be. My period isn’t an excuse for my attitude, it only shows my strength as I dealt with endometriosis for years. Through the doubt, the emotions, the fear and the pain. It is in all of us to defy expectations, to go into the world and to be brave, and to want, to need, to hunger for adventures. To embrace the chance and risk so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free.
I feel so blessed to be a woman. Whenever a woman is confronted with feelings of self-doubt it is so important to have a couple of strong, independent women one can look up to. They can inspire you to become a strong woman yourself that approaches life with confidence. Here is to all the strong, independent women who incite the fire of self-worth, inspiration and a good dose of sassiness within me. I am who I am because of the strong women who raised me and are who they are