I'm writing this post a few days late – I know today is not officially International Women's Day. But, although I wanted to write one for the day itself, I couldn't. The reason I couldn't is what I want to talk about today.
I didn't have time to write this post because my son has been teething and on a nap strike this week. I've spent most of my time calming a very upset baby (toddler?). Nearly every second not doing that, I've been writing blog articles for clients. Oh, and I sometimes eat and sleep too.
In the hectic life of being a stay-at-home mom and writer, I just didn't have the space this week to think about and write a good International Women's Day post. But then I thought about it and realized – What better topic to focus on than the incredible strength of mothers and women?
Nothing has altered my perspective on myself and other women as much as becoming a mother. It is undoubtedly the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life. I see myself differently because of it.
I've often doubted myself, my abilities, and my strength throughout my life – Haven't we all? It's part of being human. But I have done so significantly less in the past year. Because if I can do this, I can do anything.
So often, parents (especially moms) feel inadequate or weak in the face of their new children. Despite every social media mom trend, every "relatable post," and everyone else who presents motherhood as a constant stream of "I'm not good enough," I will not let this become my self-talk.
Because, at the end of the day, moms are strong, not weak. We are raising our children, not wallowing in overwhelming despair. The simple fact that we can grow a human (an actual tiny human!), deliver a baby, and then sustain it with just our bodies means that we were never weak. There is no weakness there.
Whether or not you have children, or want children, or have the biological ability to have children – It does not impact the strength I am describing here. For me, it took having a child to really see it. But I don't think that has to be the case. This force is inside every woman – and we are strong.
You will always have a voice in your head telling you something is too hard, or you can't do it – Especially when you've slept 4 hours in two days and you hear the baby crying for you again. I think it's entirely normal to have that little voice. But it's time to wake up the other, often quieter voice in there to fight back.
The next time you think you aren't strong enough, or you can't do something – Respond with – "Yes, I can." If you think, "I can't get through another two hours." Respond with, "It's going to be tough, but I can do it." I am a real believer in self-talk. Recognizing your own strength makes it real.
So today, in honor of International Women's Day, this post is a reminder to me and to the world that women are strong - We are so incredibly strong.
We raise children, and we protect them. Most of us juggle homemaking, careers, a social life, and a million other things at the same time. We tackle the problems of our families as our own. And we get it done.
Whatever you are struggling to do right now, know that you absolutely have it in you to do it. Pat yourself on the back. Pat a friend on the back. Remind yourself who you are and everything you are capable of.
Happy International Women's Day, everyone!
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