“You don’t know where you fit into this day”
To the woman who doesn’t feel like enough on International Women’s Day, I see you. Scrolling the social media posts certain those inspirational quotes aren’t about you. Wondering if you matter, like the extraordinary women matter. You want to feel empowered too, but you don’t know where you fit into this day.
To the woman who can’t, or chooses not to, work. You are incredible, you are of great value to society. Your worth is not defined by career attainment or the ability to earn money. To the stay at home Mum feeling once again invisible, you are so needed and your struggles are not invisible to me. To the disabled woman just trying to survive the day. You don’t need to inspire the world with overcoming to matter in this life. You are valuable because of who you are, and you bring something amazing to this world.
To the woman who is struggling mentally, physically or both. You do not have to have it all together to matter. The fact you wake up each morning to face another day is something incredible. To the woman living with pain, I know you think this day is for women who are invincible. It is not. It is for the women exactly like you, who fight hidden battles every single day to cope with the absolutely ordinary.
“You don’t need to move mountains to be of worth”
To the woman who doesn’t think they’ve achieved anything great, I’m here to tell you that because of you the world is a better place. You don’t need to climb mountains to be of worth. Everyone’s mountains look different anyway, one person’s slight incline is another’s Everest. I see you wondering what you bring of worth. I need you to know that you, just as you are, are of such great worth.
It can feel hard to believe, when we see the stories of the extraordinary women. Believe me, I get it because I am you. Today I want to remind you that you make someone’s life feel worthwhile. The way you smile at stranger’s brings magic to a hate filled world. The way you keep fighting each day, through every struggle, shows such great strength. I see you getting back up, each time life knocks you down, and I want you to know you are a champion.
“The world would stop turning without you”
Here’s to the disabled mothers, fighting to be the very best they can be for their children. I know how exhausting it is and you are doing such a great job. To the stay at home Mums who don’t think anyone notices the endless sacrifices they make. I see you. The the world would stop turning without you. To the women fighting chronic illness with every ounce of their remaining strength, I know how hard it is. The way you keep going is nothing short of phenomenal. Here’s to the woman who keep showing up when life tears you down, you are inspiring a generation without even realising it. To the women who are desperate for change in a sexist medical world, your voice matters, continue to speak up (For more about gender bias and chronic illness click here).
And to any other women, who don’t think today is about you. To the women who don’t feel strong. The women who don’t feel extraordinary. To everyone one of you reading this, thinking “I am not enough”. I am here to tell you that on this International Women’s Day, I am celebrating you! I am cheering you on, I am lifting you up and I am reminding you of just how much you matter in this world. You are, and will always be, enough – just as you are.
Happy International Women’s Day to all the women – here’s to you!
