Social media provides a creative voice for modern womanhood. At the heart of which living an authentic life seems to be the theme. But how can we decipher who we are amongst the mixed messages on Instagram?
Modern feminism is spearheaded by an eclectic mix of ideas, reflected by the popularity of icons such as Rihanna and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Embodying feminity involves wearing what you like, and challenging gender stereotypes in the bedroom or boardroom. However, is this impacting the way women interact with each other online? Scroll through an influencers timeline and for every like and heart emoji, you note a critique. Comments body or slut-shaming run both ways. Short skirts and barely-there necklines are bashed alongside hijabs. While Models such as Neelam Hakeem promote the fierce beauty of modest fashion, others consider it a sign of repression. With conflicting ethics surrounding female behaviour in public, how do you discover your authentic self?
Generational ties
Women with strong ethnic ties to their community often find themselves subjected to strict views on femininity. What it is to be a woman is defined by cultural and religious ideas passed down from previous generations. Views are sometimes at odds with modern forms of feminine expression. Fixed ideas about gender, identity and culture can prevent you from exploring your full potential. Letting go of the pressure to conform starts with the way we view other women. If we find ourselves constantly judging other women it is often due to insecurities. By challenging the reason why we view a particular woman as good and another as bad we confront our subconscious bias.
Take a deeper look, and you will hear the voice of a family or community belief is at the root of the thought. Ideas surrounding gender norms change progressively. Technology caused politics to affect a global audience. Filtering into music, fashion and popular culture. With this in mind, it is impossible to define a feminine ideal. Womanhood is constantly evolving along with advancements in contraception and human rights.
Finding your authentic self
In a perfect world, we would all live without judgement. But while this is not possible healing insecurities related to trauma eases the journey to living authentically. Thinking that we “should” be living or acting a certain way can lead to feeling “stuck”. By speaking your authentic truth, and releasing the inner critic, we tap into our inner power.
Women supporting women
One way to ease the tension caused by conflict ideologies is to respect and leave space for alternative lifestyles. Millennials and baby boomers can learn from the fluid titles embraced by GenZ. Creating space for mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs, promoting full-time motherhood and career women equally paves the way for female leadership. The next time you are browsing social media pays attention to your thoughts about your fellow gender. Chances are you will learn something about your Self.
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