My journey of womanhood

If I could do it all over again and navigate this journey of womanhood with more wisdom from an early age, I would have stumbled less and risked more.

I wrote this for all the girls out there, not because I have lived a spectacular life, but because I have lived a very real one. I hope my bumps in the road inspire you to do better, dream bigger, reach out farther, and challenge the norm more than I have been able to do as I was too distracted going in the direction of comfort and seeking validation.

Here's what I've learned so far and what I now know to be true. Make it yours!

1. Why pretending that you already know everything? You don’t. You never will, and that’s okay.

2. You’re a keeper. That’s your true story. Don’t ever let your thoughts convince you that you’re not.

3. Be skeptical to the outer noise. Learn to trust your gut and be keenly aware. Your intuition is your most accurate source of wisdom.

4. Don’t put your future in someone else’s hands. You come first even when that makes you look selfish in the eyes of others.

5. Never lose your voice. For anything. For anyone. The very moment you feel urged to censor yourself is the very moment you cannot hold yourself back from speaking up.

6. Everything is your choice. Consciously or unconsciously. From your breathing to the words you say. You are always choosing, and there is always a consequence.

7. You will never stop practicing what you already know. Sometimes you’ll get it right, sometimes you’ll forget it again. Focus on mastering patience and resilience instead.

8. Stay child-hearted but outgrow your childhood trauma. Maturity is the sign of keeping innocence and kind intentions at heart while not leaving unfinished business from the past.

9. Genuine forgiveness is tough AF. I don’t care how much you read and practice everything about it.?Resentment, guilt, and shame are a persistent plague. As hard as it can get, keep striving to forgive yourself and don't worry too much if you can't forgive those who wronged you. Being the bigger person starts with you first.

10. Find a therapist. Someone good. As early in life as you can. The sooner you come to terms with your past and flaws, the lighter you travel. That’s the only meaning of life.

11. Learn about narcissism, gaslighting,?manipulation, toxic behaviors, and all that weird stuff. It’s an epidemic. Learn everything you can about it. You’ll find it overtly and covertly in all aspects of life. You‘ll likely be a magnet for it, so better be equipped to spot it and get yourself out of it like a lady boss.

12. Don’t watch TV. It raises false standards that are impossible to meet.

13. Don’t get married. At least not until you have tried things, traveled, met people, grown your mind and are sure?to do it for the right reasons. Know and be happy with yourself first. When/ if you do marry, don’t try to be the perfect wife. It’ll wear you out. Or stay single. Who cares?

14. If you have a child, they will be the most important event of your life. Unpredictably mind blowing. Here too: don’t even try to be the perfect mom. It’s exhausting! Let your child be who they are meant to be. Let motherhood be a teacher. Yet if you are not to have a child, I beg that you never see that as a failure. You are complete by simply being a woman, and you are not a reproductive checklist.

15. Do that thing that scares you. Put your big girl’s panties on and get at it. You will figure it out, and you’ll become stronger every time.

16. Never believe anyone who says or leaves you feeling like you’re too difficult to be loved. Walk away as fast as you can from those people.

17. Be a rebel. Find your cause and stand up for it. Even in the moments when you end up standing alone. This world is already infested of bystanders.

18. Go out of your own way and figure out for yourself what love is. Don’t believe the socially constructed idea of it. Love always feels right and never leaves you with questions.

Be smart. And Beautiful. And bold. Speak your mind. Dye that hair. Rock those sunglasses. Cuss it out. Go to Bali. Swim with dolphins. Show up confident. Never walk with your head down. Be your own badass hero."

~ Lindsay R.