The Thread of Femininity

Growing up a girl contained lots of isolating moments that I didn’t know others went through as well. I have gone through many stages of my life where I was surrounded with fake friends, feeling insecure, and trying desperately to be like my peers. Despite these being common trends for lots of women, I felt completely alone at the time. As I’ve grown up, it has become apparent that almost every woman I know has gone through similar situations. Going through this as a young girl is devastating in the moment, but a couple years later, I have fortunately realized that I was not the only one facing these issues.  

Like every teenager ever, I used to worry so much about what everyone thought of me. Keeping up with trends, pop culture, and even finding after school activities felt like a battlefield. Often, I found myself surrounded by “friends” who didn’t truly care about me, which eventually led me to keeping only a few close ones nearby. The glass stays half full though, as this is what caused me to find true friends who understood me and what I was going through. Isolation aside, there were many moments for me to work on myself, where my personality began to shine.  

Becoming myself as I’ve grown looks a lot like independence and learning my value, not only as my own person, but as a female. Now, more than ever, it is so extremely important for women to feel independent, empowered, and confident. We all go through similar tribulations, and yet, our confidences stay low. Somehow, all girls tend to help each other out, whether it’s a hair tie on a sunny day or a sob session on the bathroom floor. 

It is true, what doesn’t kill makes you stronger. Without having some hard times, every person on this earth would be boring and just like everyone else. All women should feel banded together in the unity that lies within isolation. We have all been put through the ringer and yet keep walking. Isolation brings people together, only if we talk about it.  

For me, college was my rejuvenation. A fresh start, new community, and endless opportunities led me to the closest friends I think I will ever have. The women surrounding me inspire me every day and encourage me to be the best version of myself. Together, we understand that not all friends are true, people will lie to you for their own pleasure, and sometimes you need to be delusional, but at the end of the day, it will be your friends who you turn to. Every woman has a different story and timeline, but if you listen closely, you’ll hear the thread of femineity sewn into each story.  

Since the past is the past, we cannot dwell on things we cannot change, but it is increasingly important to remember where you came from and appreciate your current life. Not all scenes in your movie will be bright and happy, but there is always something good working behind the scenes. Women will always be there for each other, because we understand, the further you go, the stronger you become.