Feminity From the Eyes of a Tom Boy

The realities of womanhood, and my journey with feminity.

I saw a fallen tree in the park today. Its trunk was large and sturdy, moss covering the cracked bark. The old oak’s roots shot out in all directions. Thousands of spiraled coils had previously anchored the tree to the earth. Like that tree once did, I’m still creating my roots. This chapter of womanhood, for me, is the beginning. I turned 22 in March, and I am just starting to solidify my foundation and identity.

I still feel like a kid who has nothing figured out. Only now, I’m wearing what I want and building a life for myself that reflects my aspirations. Before, I would have been happy to follow the path lined out for me. It’s easier to live a lie and be praised than live your truth and be rejected. But just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.

What Makes a Woman Strong?

Women are born strong, not because of an extra X chromosome but because of what it means to be a girl in western society. Our path has already been laid out for us. Either by our career-driven foremothers or society’s version of what…