Do you have bicycle face?

Have you heard of “bicycle face?” I was introduced to this phenomenon when listening to?Reshma Saujani’s commencement speech ?to the graduates of Smith College.?

In the 19th century, a mysterious condition called "bicycle face" was created to scare women from riding bicycles - flushed cheeks, hard clenched jaw, bulging eyes are just some of the symptoms.?As she says,?“long before there was resting bitch face, there was bicycle face.”

Why?

Because women could go further, faster, independently and on their own.?This unfounded theory was used to discourage women from engaging in a liberating and empowering activity. By casting doubt on their physical appearance and mental well-being, society attempted to stifle women's desire for autonomy.?

Wait. A. Minute.

This sounds familiar.

Add it to the pay gap, pink tax, unpaid maternity leave, the ultimate pressure to be a size 2, the need to dye your hair, lengthen your eyelashes, get Botox…geeeeze - the unending messages we are given to suppress us from feeling good about ourselves and moving forward.?

Throw this on the pile heap - all the poor money messages we grew up with and continue to hear.

Rachel Rogers ?states in her book -?We Should All Be Millionaires - The media wants you to think you're a shopaholic with a bankruptcy-inducing coffee habit.

Where women are told to reign it in, men are told to spend and take financial risks to achieve more power.

Every day women are up against societal constructs designed to suppress us, but the mission of Purse Strings is to help women take the reins of her destiny and conquer her doubts.?

Make a Plan, Pedal Forward: Small Movements for Big Impact?

As we navigate a world still marred by inequality, let us remember the power of daily planning. At Purse Strings we challenge all women to take a minute every day to reflect on the small steps she can take to advance her ability to live a life that is financially fearless.. Whether it's reaching out to a?financial professional , taking charge of your?own money, or challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone and?learn about money,?these seemingly small movements will create a ripple effect and propel you forward to a life full of choices.

Remember, change begins with us. Your finances are the foundation to where you want to go in your life. We want you to embrace your strength, use your smarts, and be tenacious. Only then will we reshape the narrative and redefine what is possible for women everywhere.

So, hop on your metaphorical bicycles, my fellow warriors, and pedal fearlessly.?

Onward!?