Dynamic Signs of Personal Growth from a Feminist Perspective.

Personal growth within feminism can be understood from more of a collectivist view rather than individualistic. Here are four signs of personal growth from a feminist perspective.

Recognising your power to make choices that contribute to your own and the collective freedom is an important sign of personal growth in feminism. Feminist therapy principles emphasise the importance of connecting personal experiences with broader social and political contexts. Personal empowerment has been found to be directly related to greater well-being, but being critically consciousness (aware of societal issues) is related to wellbeing via collective action. What this means is when women take collective action, it directly impacts higher life satisfaction and positive feelings.

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." - Audre Lorde

Setting boundaries is a powerful demonstration of worth and is practiced skilfully. Establishing healthy boundaries is positively associated with enhanced psychological resilience. Resistance and resilience are discussed together in feminist literature and are both important concepts to consider when designing boundaries. Resistance, in a feminist context, refers to the act of opposing and challenging oppressive structures, norms, or systems that perpetuate inequality. In the context of designing boundaries, resistance involves establishing limits that actively defy societal expectations or norms that might infringe upon an individual’s autonomy or well-being. It’s a form of asserting one’s agency against oppressive forces.

Resilience, in feminist literature, is the ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity, trauma, or challenges, often in the face of systemic injustices. When considering boundaries, resilience comes into play by emphasising the capacity to set and maintain boundaries despite external pressures or potential pushback. It involves navigating and overcoming obstacles to maintain one’s integrity and well-being.

When designing boundaries, we want to incorporate an understanding of both resistance and resilience. It involves asserting oneself against oppressive forces (resistance) while simultaneously possessing the strength to bounce back from any potential repercussions (resilience). Integrating resistance and resilience in boundary-setting empowers individuals to assert their agency and autonomy. It allows for the creation of boundaries that not only challenge oppressive norms but also endure in the face of societal pressures.

"I want to be able to say that there is a place for us in this world. That we belong and are not inferior to any other human." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Appreciating and understanding intersectionality and diversity. From a feminist perspective, appreciating and understanding intersectionality and diversity is fundamental for personal growth. Understanding diverse experiences helps deconstruct stereotypes and assumptions associated with gender roles. This deconstruction is crucial for dismantling harmful norms that limit personal growth and reinforcing a more inclusive understanding of femininity, masculinity and self expression. Intersectionality also encourages self-reflection about one’s own privilege and biases. This self-awareness is essential for personal growth, fostering accountability and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement within feminist circles. From a feminist perspective, personal growth is intertwined with the collective liberation of all women. Appreciating intersectionality allows for a more holistic understanding of your own and others personal liberation, recognising that individual empowerment is interconnected with the empowerment of diverse women.

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." - Lilla Watson

Advocating for yourself and others is practiced regularly. Communicating need, wants, preferences and expectations is not as straight forward as it should be. From a feminist perspective, traditional modern views fall short in explaining something crucial: the internalised oppression that women may experience and the process of overcoming it. Many women, knowingly or unknowingly, conform to societal expectations, limiting their ambitions and adopting goals that align with traditional gender norms. Feminist thinkers argue that women internalise these norms, meaning they incorporate them into their thoughts, emotions, and actions. This can lead women to unknowingly contribute to their own oppression. This internalised oppression shapes a woman's core desires, and simply pursuing what she desires might unintentionally support her own oppression. This challenges the traditional idea that fulfilling desires equals personal fulfilment.

“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard." - Malala Yousafzai