Why I Love Being a Woman
Image c/o Twitter, @hauteblood
We all hold within us masculine and feminine energy (unrelated to your sex organs), kind of like the balance of yin and yang, or light and dark. We cannot have one without the other. Masculine energy is that goal-oriented, “make things happen” drive, while the feminine is slower, more receptive, and emotionally charged.
I started exploring my feminine energy side after losing my job and going through a mental health crisis. I was exhausted, burnt out, and had lost myself after decades (!) of working hard to prove myself. So often we’re taught to hustle and work for what we want, which is true, but there’s also a flip side to the coin of letting things be as they are, and simply receiving.
Giving is great, but a lot of us feel more comfortable there because it takes the spotlight off of us. As women, we are taught to give, and nuture, but if we don’t take care, and put ourselves first, who will?
My feminine energy exploration kicked into high gear after a break-up, where I felt like I constantly had to manipulate (yikes) or do things in order to obtain a certain outcome. I started exploring how it would feel to lean back, and notice things as they are, without trying to change or control. We feel safe when we’re in control, but when we feel worthy without doing or making things happen, that’s when we’re able to receive with ease in abundance.
If you’re feeling exhausted, or burnt out, why not try nurturing yourself instead? Notice how often you’re taking care of others, or putting someone else first. Mama’s I see you out there, and I invite you to notice how you feel when you fill your own cup first. The thing is, we can be a better mother, daughter, friend, partner, employee, human being in this world, when we are being taken care of and nutured, before giving from an empty cup.
Get curious about how leaning back feels at work as well. If you’ve been taught to always be hustling and working 24/7, what happens if you simply do less? Take a look at your colleagues and notice their actions (especially your male counterparts). You might be surprised that the world doesn’t fall apart when you aren’t the first person to answer that email, or solve the big problem.
After I got laid off, I was so stressed about not knowing how to fill my days. For a long time I kept feeling so guilty “not doing”, but over time I realized just how much I’d been sacrificing myself for my busy schedule, and for what purpose?
Notice how you feel when you start thinking of yourself first. Our society teaches us that it’s “bad” or “selfish” to take care of ourselves, however, if you don’t, who will? If feminine energy has taught me anything, it’s that the more we love and care for ourselves, the more we allow others to do the same.
The world needs as much of this nurturing energy as possible, so I invite you to start seeing your softness as a gift. Lean into your emotions, your kindness, and start sharing that with yourself and your community. We’re taught that it’s weak to care, but start looking at it as your super power.
Going after what you want with action is only part of the magic in this lifetime. Trust yourself that it’s safe to receive, and you’ll open yourself up to support and guidance that you’ve only dreamed of. Life doesn’t have to be so hard. If you feel like you’re always pushing for an outcome, why not try doing the opposite, and trusting that you’ll be supported?