F*ck Society’s Rules — 8 Things Wild Women Should Definitely Do

Women are issued directives daily, like when a strangers suggest that we smile.

These are such obvious directives, it’s impossible to ignore them. But there are some messages that are so subtle we might not even recognize them. These subtle directives are embedded in advertisements, in fashion, the movies we watch, the magazines we read... Everyone has an idea of what a woman should (and shouldn’t) do.

But are there imperatives that women should follow—not because society dictates it but because we need them to live our best lives?

I think there are...

Of course, these life lessons are not taught to us in schools or in any magazines for women. Most of us discover and learn these rules the hard way. I know – I did, too. 

I had a life path well planned out until everything fell apart – my career, my home, my engagement—all of it. Hell, even my friend circle. It was the hardest era of my life but through these experiences, I learned that I am capable of anything, stronger than I could ever imagine before, and resourceful. On my journey, I came across so many other women telling their stories, all similar to mine – they learned the hard way to create their own rules for their own life. 

I don’t care anymore what society has to say about how I should look or behave. I don’t plan to sit on the sidelines of my life and let others take the lead role. Societal standards can make it difficult to reclaim our lives, and our time, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Expressing our appreciation became an alternative to constantly apologizing. For instance, we can thank others for waiting rather than apologizing for being late. Learning to be less apologetic helped me to be more assertive and more focused on gratitude than excuses. Don’t be sorry to exist or to take up space.

Your worthiness doesn’t have to be earned, it’s something that is present since the day you were born. You’re worthy simply ebcause you exist, oeriod. There’s no need to measure yourself to others or look for proof with a magnifying glass. 

I don’t know about you but from where I come from girls used to be taught to be dependent on men. I was raised by the idea that I need to find a handsome, rich man who will take care of me, like alone I wouldn’t be capable. I used to beleive I need the company of adults or at least one friend to do something I wanted, like traveling. (Some girls even thought they need another girl to go to the bathroom.) Later, financial and emotional dependence too often kept me in toxic relationships. Learning to be independent is a valuable life skill on many levels. We need to cultivate emotional and financial independence, recognize our co-dependent tendencies, and learn to have full enriched lives on our own.

Women often define who they are by their relationships, like they are a wife, mother or other titles that has nothing to do with us but what we do, like being a lawyer or a journalist. This way we only shot the world how little we value our own identity. Exploring our interests and figuring out what brings us joy is an important part of deciding who we are and in embodying the wild woman archetype.

You must have heared the cliche that you can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s true, you can’t give to others if you don’t fill yourself up first. We are better humans, daughters, sisters, mothers, workers, and partners when we take good care of ourselves first. This can look anything from staying well hydrated, eating well, staying active, addressing sexual health, educating our minds, getting enough sleep, and generally doing all the things that help us to be happy, healthy individuals. We don’t need to burn ourselves out for anyone but constantly palcing others needs in front of yours does exactly that. 

If you don’t know any strong, wonderful women, you’re either spending time with the wrong women or you are the problematic one.

We should support women all around us seeing them as allies rather than competitors. We’ve all heard that empowered women empower women, and we need to empower ourselves to be those women. 

Women should celebrate their unique and individual beauty every day. Women’s bodies have the capacity to do amazing things like giving birth —whether we choose to do this or not. But our bodies cando so much more – build endurance, get stronger, and reach new levels of fitness, but body positivity should also extend to healthy sexual attitudes like getting rid of slut-shaming and the discomfort of the idea of masturbation.

According to society a woman over 30 is considered old. If you aren’t married, own an appartment or a house and have no children (at least on the way), then you’re a failure. But we get to define what aging means to us. We are never too old to wear what we like, to explore new interests, or to embrace a new relationship or career. We can still be sexual, trendy, vivacious, curious, adventurous, active, and whatever else we decide we want to be for as long as we like.

I know women who adapted children over 40, who started yoga and body building over 70, travel since they are retired and the lsit goes on… you get to define how you live your life, and what aging like fine wine means to you.

F*ck society’s rules and the never-ending invitations to smile. We’ll smile when we are free to live our lives in the manner of our choice, without anyone trying to direct it for us.