That Sales Lady

Being a woman is remarkably hard considering it’s not very uncommon to be one.

I’m coming into my late twenties and have realized more and more that I’m expected to be a very specific way because I identify as a woman. When we’re younger, we’re completely bombarded with an expectation to enjoy certain things.

Every shade of pink

Dresses

Dolls

Lace

Now, the expectation to have these interests has transformed into the expectation to behave a certain way in society, and enjoy doing it too.

Don’t get mad.

Don’t argue.

Cross your legs.

Fix your hair.

Not saying there’s anything inherently wrong with these things. I feel like some of these behaviours can be useful at times, but at what point was it no longer my decision to be this way? Food for thought.

For me, of the most challenging thing about running a business has been marketing myself to other people. It’s been a real challenge stepping out of my comfort zone to get people to invest in me, and I haven’t really figured out why yet. Could be that I’m afraid of coming across as “loud” or “pushy”, since that’s not really what other people expect me to be? It’s not really what I expect myself to be either.

I guess I just feel like I need permission to be loud, but what if I was the person that gave myself permission? Why is it, that the permission I give myself is somehow less valid than the permission I get from other people?

Women are allowed to be heard, and they are allowed to be confident and assertive (i.e. “loud” and “pushy”). Obviously this is true, but why is it so hard to embrace it and actually put it into action in my day-to-day?

Feminism can be kind of a touchy subject but I think it’s important to reflect on. I’d love to discover some other perspectives, so if you feel like it, send me a message with your thoughts!

Peace and love,

Shanisha