F*ck the patriarchy. Here’s how.

Jun 11

Just a few EASY tips for giving the middle finger to the patriarchy. Because while you don't have to save the entire world yourself, we've all gotta start somewhere.

take up space.
Take the armrest. Stretch your legs out. Take your time on the machines at the gym. Stop apologizing for simply BE-ing.
stop stressing over every new wrinkle, crease, and fold.
Patriarchy & capitalism shames women as they age, then SELLS PRODUCTS to scare us into staying young. F*CK THIS. Grow old. Grow feral. Be your FULL f*cking SELF.
wear the tank top, the shorts, and the bikini.
Patriarchy & capitalism ALSO shames women for any body type over a size 2, then sells us aaaalll the things to scare us into staying this way. F*CK THIS. You have a BODY. Enjoy it, and use it while you can.
eat what you want.
Are you sensing the theme here? Keeping us SMALL & under control? Keep us fighting against our actual selves so we’re occupied & easily compliant? F*CK THAT! Yes, eat your protein & veggies to stay strong. But don’t deny yourself the burgers, beer, & desserts.
stop shaving or waxing if you want to.
Did you know that women didn’t really shave their legs or underarms prior to 1915? But a Gillette marketing campaign targeted women’s underarm hair as an “embarrassing personal problem” so they could tap into a new market & sell more razors.
wear what you want, regardless of your age.
“Dressing your age” started in the Victorian era, when women of a certain age were supposed to ditch the bright colors & start covering up. But this concept is waaay outdated, and rooted in internalized shame, misogyny, and control. F*CK THAT.
DO the things you wanna do, without fearing what you LOOK like.
Notice how it keeps coming back to control? Yeah. F*ck that. Stop worrying about “acting appropriate”... please be an active participant in your own life. It’s soooo much more FUN that way.
Stop staying quiet & being “nice” to keep the peace.
Speak up & speak out, even if your voice shakes. Because “peace” isn’t actually PEACE if it’s causing you or others harm. It’s staying quiet so THEY get their way.
LIVE YOUR life with the confidence of a mediocre white man.
Want to DO something, but not sure if you’re “qualified?” Just GO FOR IT, and figure it out along the way. Stop over-preparing, stop apologizing for what you don’t know yet, and just DO THE THING.
Ditch the imposter syndrome. Whose permission are you waiting for?
What new qualification will make you feel more capable? F*CK THAT. If there’s been ONE GOOD THING about our current administration, it’s THIS: If that clown car of wannabes can be in charge of our country, then I can run my silly little business. No apologizes needed.
Gather in-person instead of staying in isolation.
Women are a force to be reckoned with. We get sh*t done; even MORE so when we work together. Stop trying to heal yourself in isolation. Keeping us separated is another form of control. Go find your peeps & FEEL GOOD, together.
Get IN the photos.
Stop hiding from the camera, or saying “I’ll take photos after I lose 15 lbs.” And every time you say this, you’re passing your insecurities on to the next gen (who are watching & listening). F*CK THIS. You deserve to be SEEN, as you are right NOW. You deserve to EXIST, as you are.