This is a start to an extensive and beautiful collaborative series about what WOMAN means, as the concept of female and woman is unique to each and every individual. We will be hearing from women and men from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, all colors, all cultures and backgrounds. So read on, and stay tuned!
Self-Awareness is such a crucial part of self-care, and self-love, as we can only truly find our self worth and state of happiness once we look at ourselves. We must ask ourselves questions that force us to delve deeper and peel back the layers to find awareness of our true beings; self-awareness helps us understand why and how we are important to the world…. because we are ALL so important, and so incredibly worthy! Self-awareness can start with some simple questions….
Who am I?
What makes me happy?
What do I appreciate about myself?
What do others appreciate about me?
What do I appreciate about others?
How do I perceive myself?
How do I perceive others?
What truly makes me happy?
What truly makes me proud?
So much of my identity is being a woman. My Mom and Dad raised three strong, independent, driven and compassionate women, and with that came a sense of pride! Within this world of oppression, inequality, gender norms and media manipulation it can be difficult to maintain that sense of pride, as others constantly try to tear it down. Therefore, I find that self-awareness towards what makes me a proud woman, and self-compassion within my pride of what being a woman encompasses, is truly self-care at its purest form! I am woman; this is what WOMAN means to me.
To kick off this series, I chose to incorporate a poem called “Where I am From”
WHERE I’M FROM
I am from American Girl, Disney Princesses, Hopscotch at recess and swimming in the summer.
I am from the outer banks of the concrete jungle, from the cozy suburbs, a neighborhood filled with privilege, the bustle of trains and gusts of wind; from squelching summers and freezing winters.
I am from the dandelion blowing in the spring air, the daisy and seashell in the sweet southern sun.
I am from a Christmas Eve’s watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby and strong women from the Irenes, Gorey Girls and Edwards.
I am from the anxiety-ridden tears, eating disorders and unconditional love for animals.
From being an “old soul” and overly sensitive.
I am from Methodist practicing Irish Catholics, from the shame brought upon by converting.
I’m from La Grange, IL, Irish and Italian Catholics, deep-dish pizza and bowls of popcorn and ice cream
From the time Kathie pulled her hamstring while doing the champagne splits the millennium being rung in with innocent cheer, sparkling grape juice and silly string and
Tess, and Claire brushing their teeth to NSYNC every morning before school despite the seven year age gap.
I am from underneath the Christmas tree, on the beaches of South Carolina, the strong trust of my parents, the intense bond with my sisters, the struggle of becoming a woman, the results of being a dancer, the middle child, the sensitive one, and most importantly the love and truth of family.
I am healthy, I am beautiful, I am recovered, I am in love, I am happy, I am strong, I am a WOMAN.
-Jayne Mattingly
Check out the rest of the series here!
What WOMAN Means to pt. 2- with Asia Vianna Mack
What WOMAN Means to Me pt. 3 – with Gissell Reyes
What WOMAN Means to Me pt. 4 – with Claire Mattingly
What WOMAN Means To Me pt. 5 – with Becca Schutlz