Girl, Uninterrupted

Flaunting your feminine side at work, home – anywhere TBH – can be a huge plus. For real! Here’s how to tap into it

- Marissa Gainsburg

Growing up, it was not only acceptable to let my girliness shine, it was expected. Like my friends, I had pink walls and kitten folders in primary school, replaced by boy-band posters and glitter everything come Year 7. But by uni I had learnt an unfair lesson: femininity is not to be celebrated. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. The problem, experts agree, is a societal one. “While we selfishly seek softer qualities in certain contexts – friendships, parenting – we don’t value them as a culture,” says Christine Smith, an associate professor of psychology and gender studies. So we’ve learnt to downplay our inner Carrie Bradshaw and exaggerate our assertive Miranda Hobbes instead. “[But] by embracing your natural tendencies, your relationships will flourish,” says Amy Stanton, co-author of The Feminine Revolution. “You’ll be free of the negative self-talk that comes with overthinking every move.” Permission to be yourself granted.

Sensitivity