Woman-ness

I don’t know if it’s 2016.

I don’t know if it’s me.

But, I’ve never been so aware of my

Woman-ness.

I’ve never been so aware of the effect

being a strong woman has on those around us.

What I do know is I’m not alone.

I’m not the only one

who feels like people,

would be more comfortable if we shrunk ourselves.

I’m too loud-too passionate-too much.

I let my hair be wild.

I avoid makeup.

I speak my mind.

I’ve been called intimidating.

I’ve been called a bitch.

This used to affect me.

This used to make me want to hide.

But now, now I feel my power.

Now, if you criticize me,

I know it is more of a projection of you

than it will ever be a reflection of me.

Now, I want to occupy space.

Now, I want to be furiously passionate

about things that ignite a fire in my soul.

Now, I want to feed that fire.

What I want most of all,

is for all women to feel that fire.

I don’t want all women to be like me.

I love our differences,

they’re what makes us beautiful.

I want you to find the fire in your soul.

I want you to find it and feed it.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Don’t you dare shrink yourself,

for anyone.

If someone can’t handle the space you occupy,

you don’t need to shrink to fit their space,

you need to find someone with more space.

Let your light shine.

The world needs you.

Let’s stop dimming eachother’s flames

because we’re worried about being outshined.

Let’s light the world together.