International Women’s Day 2023 is just around the corner and it’s that time of the year when the limelight is on women, women’s rights, and women’s well-being. Even though women should be treated with dignity all year round, instead of just one day a year, it’s even more important for us to treat ourselves with love and dignity. That’s why I have compiled a few vital international women’s day lessons for every woman out there who deserves to live their best life.
As women, we face unique challenges and struggles in our personal and professional lives. From gender inequality to societal pressure, we often find ourselves fighting for our rights and well-being.
However, amidst all the chaos and confusion, there are some important lessons that we can learn and practice to empower ourselves, take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health, and build a strong and supportive community.
In this article, we will discuss some of these lessons that every woman should know and apply in her daily life. But before we do a deep dive into the lessons, let’s find out what is the importance of women’s day.
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8 Essential International Women’s Day Lessons That Every Woman Should Remember
1. Learn to accept your authentic self, in all its glory.
Self-acceptance is about embracing your true self, with all its flaws and imperfections. It means letting go of the need for perfection and learning to love yourself unconditionally.
Self-acceptance is not easy, and it requires practice and patience. However, the rewards are immense, as it can lead to greater self-confidence, resilience, and happiness.
Acknowledge your struggles and failures, and offer yourself comfort and encouragement, instead of self-criticism and judgment. Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and support, just as you would a good friend. Self-compassion is the secret key that can help you in opening the door to self-acceptance.
2. You cannot make everyone happy, nor is it your responsibility.
Women have been conditioned for years with the belief that it’s their responsibility to take care of everyone (everyone but themselves!) and ensure their happiness. But you know what? Even though being empathetic and considering other people’s happiness is a good thing, you shouldn’t put yourself last every time.
It’s important that you focus on your own happiness too so that you can take better care of yourself. If you keep on putting your feelings on the back burner, it will just be a matter of time before you break down.
At the end of the day, everyone is responsible for their own happiness, including you. So focus on yourself, and let others make their own happiness in their own unique ways.
3. Don’t feel guilty for not wanting to have children.
The decision to have children or not is a deeply personal one, and it should be made based on your wishes, preferences, values, and circumstances. You must never make this decision out of obligation, coercion, or guilt.
There can be many reasons why you might choose not to have children. You may prioritize your career, personal goals, mental or physical health, or lifestyle choices over starting a family. You may also have concerns about the financial or emotional responsibilities of raising a child, or simply not feel a strong desire to become a parent.
Society often puts pressure on women to have children and assumes that motherhood is a woman’s natural and primary role. However, only you get to decide whether motherhood is a natural choice for you or not. It is not anyone else’s place to judge or pressure you into having children if that is not what you want.
4. Support other women and help one another rise up.
As a woman, it is essential to support and empower other women around you. The world can be a challenging place for women, with many obstacles and barriers that can hold them back from achieving their goals and realizing their full potential. However, when women come together to support each other, amazing things can happen.
For many generations, women have been pitted against one another and have been made to feel like each other’s enemies. But women can be each other’s biggest and most loyal allies, and for that to happen, it’s important to stand by one another and fiercely support each other.
Supporting and empowering one another is essential for creating a more fair and inclusive world. As a woman, it’s important to use your voice, skills, and resources to support other women and build a community of strength, resilience, and success.
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5. Call out people immediately, whenever they talk over you or try to silence you.
This is one of the most important international women’s day lessons that you should remember.
Do not let anyone speak over you (especially a man!), just because you are a woman. Even today, there are so many women in the corporate who don’t get to express their opinions because it’s automatically assumed that they don’t have anything valuable to contribute.
Every woman out there needs to have more faith in themselves and feel more confident about their talent, skills, and achievements. Whenever someone talks over you and doesn’t let you finish, firmly say, “Excuse me. I was not finished speaking.” Shut down such toxic behavior then and there and clearly give off the message that you won’t tolerate unprofessional, unfair, and misogynistic behavior.
6. Learn the art of saying no, without feeling guilty and selfish.
Learning to say no is another crucial life lesson for every woman. Saying no doesn’t make you selfish or unkind; it means you value your time and energy. Many women struggle with saying no, often out of fear of disappointing others or being seen as rude.
However, saying yes to everything can lead to burnout, stress, and a lack of time for the things that matter the most to you. Learning to say no means setting boundaries and prioritizing your needs, even if it upsets a few people. It also means learning to communicate assertively and respectfully.
Always remember that the people who have an issue with you saying ‘no’ are the people you should probably stay away from. People who genuinely love you and respect you will never hate you for prioritizing yourself and your happiness at times.
7. Surround yourself with positive, kind, and genuinely supportive people.
The people you surround yourself with have a significant impact on your life. Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people can uplift your mood, inspire you, and encourage you to pursue your goals. Conversely, surrounding yourself with negative and toxic people can drain your energy and undermine your self-esteem.
Building a supportive network of friends, family, and mentors is crucial for every woman. It means seeking out and prioritizing people who share your values, encourage your growth, and respect your boundaries.
It also means setting healthy boundaries and distancing yourself from people who drain your energy or make you feel bad about yourself. Life is too short for wasting time on people who have shady intentions or are jealous of you or who just want to see you fail. So, choose your tribe carefully.
Related: 9 Signs of An Untouchable And Unapologetically Powerful Woman
8. Always, always, always know your worth and never ever underestimate yourself.
Knowing your worth is one of the most important life lessons for every woman. It means valuing yourself and knowing that you deserve respect, love, and kindness. Unfortunately, society often teaches women to doubt their worth and accept less than they deserve.
It’s essential to understand that your worth is not determined by your appearance, accomplishments, or relationships. You are valuable simply because you exist.
When you know your worth, you’re less likely to settle for less than you deserve. You’re also less likely to engage in toxic relationships or situations that undermine your self-esteem. Knowing your worth also means setting healthy boundaries and saying no to things that don’t align with your values or goals.
Are there any more important life lessons that you think every woman should remember and practice in their life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! And happy International Women’s Day!
What Is The Significance Of International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8th. The holiday has been observed for over a century and serves as a day to celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness of gender equality, and promote women’s rights and empowerment.
The significance of International Women’s Day lies in its ability to bring attention to the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Despite progress made over the years, women still face many challenges such as unequal pay, discrimination, and gender-based violence. The day serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality.
It also provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of women in all areas of society, including politics, business, arts, and sciences. It celebrates the progress made by women over the years and honors the trailblazers who have fought for women’s rights and paved the way for future generations.
Additionally, this day also highlights the importance of including men in the conversation about gender equality, as they too have a role to play in creating a more equitable society.
Now, let’s find out some of the most important women’s day lessons that every woman should remember and try to implement in their life.
Want to know more about what is the significance of international women’s day? What is the message of international women’s day? Check this video out below!
