Drop smelling of patriarchy.
It’s a big week!
On Monday we celebrated the freedom to have access to abortion in France. That is now written in the effing Constitution, something we dream of here in the US.
Tomorrow we celebrate International Women’s Day, honoring ALL women.
Why is this important?
In my opinion, sexism is the most underestimated system of oppression. We often think we’re further “along” than we actually are. (I mean there is a reason Barbie was such a hit last year).
Only women and people experiencing sexism face this oppression. But patriarchy hurts e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y.
Unfortunately most of us perpetuate patriarchal culture.
As bell hooks says, “in patriarchal culture males are not allowed simply to be who they are and to glory in their unique identity. Their value is always determined by what they do.”
So when breathing patriarchy, we are constantly measured ourselves by how we present and how much we produce.
How much work did you accomplish?
How many children do you have?
How did you make this homemade dinner?
'Success' is sadly measured by patriarchal values. Values that place quantity over quality. Values that weigh a final product more than the process that leads to it.
When success is solely measured by quantitative values, we obsess with the numbers. We hyperfocus on how much we accomplish.
When we become so consumed by quantitative factors, we lose sight of other important indicators of success.
We undermine the value of authenticity, courage, vulnerability, and empathy 💖
You can’t measure these things, so it’s easy to overlook how much they contribute to our growth.
Success is not just a numbers game. So maybe you scored a 5/10 on a quiz, but what if you used your courage to study hard and do better the next time. That is success. That is improvement.
Don’t believe the lie that the process of growth is linear.
What’s important is that we hone in on our authenticity and use those qualities to aid in our growth.
Rather than believing that you aren’t good enough because of some patriarchal measurement, take a stance and decide how you want to value and measure your accomplishment.
That you are enough and a number doesn’t display your worth.
Acknowledge all the ways that you are authentic, vulnerable, and bold.
Drop smelling of patriarchy.
Sending you one big hug,
Nora