Become A Stronger Woman
Becoming a stronger woman!!
Many women can be their own worst enemies. Women are constantly comparing themselves to other women, trying to be the perfect partner, mother, friend, sister or colleague. All this pressure women put on themselves doesn’t make them a stronger woman, it makes them more vulnerable and susceptible to failure.
This sounds more complicated than it is. A woman is many things but no woman is the same. There are no limitations on what your definition of a woman is. Are you a caring mother? Are you a happy feminist? Are you a sports fanatic? Accept your definition of the word woman, and do not let others change that definition.
A stronger woman is one who not only knows what she wants but has learnt how to get it, and this has nothing to do with material things. Becoming a stronger woman is easier than you think and takes just 5 little steps, which you can begin doing today to make you a stronger woman tomorrow.
#1: Strong women define the word ‘WOMAN’ on their own terms. This sounds more complicated than it is. A woman is many things but no woman is the same. There are no limitations on what your definition of a woman is. Are you a caring mother? Are you a happy feminist? Are you a sports fanatic? Accept your definition of the word woman, and do not let others change that definition.
#2: Strong women are healthy women, both inside and out. A strong woman does not judge herself by her weight. She does not look at her reflection and loathe what she sees. A strong woman eats for her health, not her weight. She exercises because it makes her feel strong, feel happy and feel alive.
#3: Strong women do not judge other women for their choices. Accepting that everyone will choose the path that is right for them is a major step in becoming a strong woman. Mistakes are always made along the journey to becoming stronger, but these mistakes are truly yours and should hold no regrets.
#4: Strong women determine their own balance and values in life. This area is all about comparing your life to those around you. No one lives the perfect life and everyone holds different values which determine the way you live yours. Write down what you value most and teach yourself to live by these. Tell yourself that you no longer need to worry if your friends and family are doing it differently to you. They have their values and you have yours and by prioritising, the stress of no longer being perfect starts to fade.
#5: Strong women understand what gives them positive energy. It is easy to say remove negative energy from your life but harder to do. The best way to begin the process of living within your positive energy is to know what gives you this energy in the first place. Each day, watch your emotions/feelings and soon you will be a pattern of what gives you energy and what takes this energy away. When you understand this, you can slowly make decisions in your life that allow you to be involved in energy giving, not energy taking activities.
Love Always
Linking up with Kylie for #IBOT & Leanne @ DeepFriedFruit
I do think it’s important to note that external factors play a huge part in how women perceive themselves. Our culture, media, expectations etc- all are part of the reasons we are so hard on ourselves.
Absolutely. External factors are how I lived my life for many many years. It wasn’t until I took control of my emotions – without allowing all the external factors to dictate who or what I was – that I finally became a stronger woman.
I like the positive energy. I’ve been learning that you can be going through shit but small quick mood lifters can help you stuggle through. Nice post. I agree with Amy above and I think we have to become a louder external factor in people’s self esteem – I will voccally call people out whn they start running themselves down. We’ve all got to Kanye it up (not pro Trump Kanye, self belief Kanye)
This is why believing in your own value without all the external factors is so vital.
Patterns of how you feel and respond to things are so freaking important. It’s how I worked out that sleep MUST be a priority for me at all times. I’m cranky and miserable without a solid sleep.
That’s great to know Vanessa. Most people ignore what is vital for them to keep moving because it might look selfish. But if you work – your life works.
Wonderful post Natalie. I have learned much about myself in recent months and know how much self-belief informs my mood and intentions. Denyse x
Even though the circumstances were not good Denyse, you have learned and grown so much because of it.
Love this! There are many different ways to be a strong woman 🙂
So so so many – and if every woman just worked on one way – what a powerful person they will become.
This post shows that there are so many ways to be a strong woman. I do have to agree with Amy, I think external factors make us hard on ourselves, it’s about redefining not just our own values, but those of society. It’s time to build each other up instead of bring each other down.
Women can be their worst enemy – and many compete with each other as opposed to celebrating all the wins.
Women are awfully hard on one another. I admit that there’s been times when I have struggled with number 3. #teamIBOT
I still struggle on days with my number 3 especially – but I write 3 things I am grateful for (with this child) and it changes everything.
Very thought provoking, Nat. I think #3 is the one I struggle with the most, but I’m starting to work on that, slowly but surely.
#teamIBOT
Judgement can be very challenging for many. The less we judge… the happier we are. The less we judge… the less we worry.
I consider myself a strong woman, because I’ve survived trauma in my life and lots of adversity, and come out the other side, but I wouldn’t be one according to your definitions. I still have lots of insecurities and fight them on a daily basis. And I judge others, but then, don’t we all?
My 5 steps are just one way – may be a finish for some or a start. you sound like you are amazingly strong – never doubt that.
It’s all about being authentic and accepting of yourself isn’t it Natalie? I wrote a post earlier this week on my take on the Fierce 50 movement (https://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2018/05/is-there-alternative-to-fierce-50.html) it’s wonderful for some women – but not for me. I think we need to focus on becoming the best version of ourselves and that doesn’t mean that it will be the same as it is for someone else.
The best version of ourselves is all we can ever expect.
Some really valuable points here Natalie. It’s so hard to change how we’ve been conditioned. I know that I still struggle with feeling inferior to others with how I look and perceived success etc. At least I’m aware of it I guess. #TeamLovinLife
As a trainer – the first step in changing what no longer serves you is being aware of it. The thoughts you have about yourself and your life are often from beliefs we created years ago and have never questioned. It doesn’t matter when you start the process of questioning – change will occur if you are ready to challenge your beliefs.
I think you’ve nailed it. I struggle with some of these, but I guess most of us are a work in progress & recognising that in both ourselves and others is also part of our strength.
I think we all are a work in progress. Sometimes we get it right and other times we get a little lost on the way.
Natalie, you have once again nailed it! I believe that there is so much pressure on women being perfect and having it all that we have lost sight of what’s important in our lives. Yes health is paramount and being your own person and learning not to compare yourself to others. I have slowly learnt all these things and I’m 61! It takes time and experience to become a strong women, but I’m getting there. #TeamLovinLife
Good for you Kathy. I like to tell my clients that life is a continual progression – it doesn’t matter if you start a little later than others – so long as you start and keep moving forward.
I really love all of these, but the first particularly resonates with me. I’m 50 (egad!) and STILL single and childless. My life is so different to many of my contemporaries and I struggle to relate sometimes. Their lives have been full of partners and kids for a while and now there are grandkids and retirement looming for many and none of that is relevant to me. It feels as if I don’t fit in and then I remember I don’t need to. I just need to be me. Live the best life I can…. #teamlovinlife
That is so powerful Deb. Fit in or not fit in – so long as you are evolving, life is pretty wonderful.
I love these tips! It’s so important to live to your own values and not compare yourself to others. Leads to a much happier life!
Di from Max The Unicorn
And most of us strive for a happier life.
And let’s add: strong women lift each other up (not drag each other down).
Oh yes. That is such a good one.