Strong Woman Signing Off. Welcoming a Powerful Woman!

Rather than calling myself a strong woman, I would like to refer to myself as a powerful woman.

In today’s society, women are expected to handle any challenge life throws their way and appear to have it all together. This is supposed to be a good thing, but having to uphold the image of strength can be more damaging than helpful. Through my experience with this expectation, I’ve come to recognize that being strong isn’t what truly makes us remarkable and powerful. In place of this traditional definition of strength, I’m now embracing my authenticity and power as a woman. Join me in discovering why being a powerful woman beats being strong any day.

The societal expectation of women to be strong.

As young girls, we are taught that being strong is an admirable quality. I’ve grown up being told to be strong and defend myself, but as I’ve gotten older, I realize that expecting such strength can be draining and harmful. I recall being warned to be cautious of what I was requesting when praying and asking God for strength. To truly attain strength, you must face pressure, weight, or opposition, all in the name of proving your strength.

Women may already feel overburdened and overwhelmed by their home and work responsibilities, and this societal pressure can cause burnout and feelings of inadequacy when we inevitably fall short…despite our best efforts.

Moreover, this reinforces outdated gender roles where women are expected to carry the emotional burden of those around them without being offered any support in return. Because they are too busy taking care of others, women often do not have time to pursue their own interests or focus on themselves.

Ask yourself… What have you recently put on hold because of someone else’s needs?

Society needs to recognize that strength comes in many forms – including vulnerability – and that it’s okay for women (and men) to ask for help or take a break when needed without feeling ashamed. To grow stronger in our own unique ways, we must acknowledge our limitations.

Instead of trying so hard to “be strong,” women should embrace the power within themselves. We all have it.

My reasons for no longer wanting to be a strong woman. 

For a long time, like many of you, I prided myself on being a strong woman. I thought it was something I was just supposed to be. I didn’t think I had a choice. Plus, I knew that I came from a family of “Strong Black Women.” But deep down, it was also something I learned to aspire towards. I thought it would earn me respect and possible admiration from others. But as I got older and thank God, wiser, I began to see that the expectation for women to be “strong” can actually be quite harmful.

It implies that we should always have everything together, never show any vulnerability or weakness, and constantly push ourselves beyond our limits. This pressure can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

I no longer want to live up to this unrealistic strength standard because it’s simply not sustainable. Instead of striving for an ideal of perfection that doesn’t exist, I choose to embrace my imperfections and allow myself room for growth and self-care.

Being powerful means recognizing my own worth and value as a person regardless of how well I’m able to hold things together in difficult situations. It means acknowledging when I need help or support from others and not feeling ashamed about it. I should actually feel empowered!

Ultimately, embracing our power as women means rejecting societal expectations that do not serve us well and creating new narratives around what it means to be successful in life – ones that prioritize overall well-being rather than superficial appearances or achievements.

Powerful women: What it means to be one!

Being a powerful woman means recognizing your worth and using your voice to make an impact in the world. It means owning your strengths, embracing your flaws, and being unapologetic about who you are.

A powerful woman is one who lifts up others around her rather than tearing them down. She understands that success is not a zero-sum game and that everyone has enough room to shine. In fact, a powerful woman will encourage others to succeed and reach for their greatest potential.

Taking the time to understand others involves actively listening to those around you and advocating for those who might not have the same opportunities as you. Being a powerful woman also means being empathetic and compassionate towards others.

It’s important to note that being a powerful woman isn’t just limited to certain races or ethnicities – it applies to all women, no matter their background or socioeconomic status.

Being a powerful woman involves breaking free from societal expectations of what femininity should look like. It’s about carving out our own paths in life while remaining true to who you are and your values.

Be best advice to move from Strong to Powerful

It’s time for us to shift our focus from being strong women to powerful ones. We need to reject the world’s expectations that have been placed upon us and redefine what it means to be a woman in power, with power. Being powerful doesn’t mean we have all the answers or never struggle; instead, it means we recognize our strengths and weaknesses and continue to grow despite them.

Take time to discover who you are. What are your vulnerabilities? What makes you special? What allows you to feel deeper? Who are your front-row, biggest fans? Who wants to see you grow? Whom do you want to see grow? Understand that no one is asking you to have all of the answers. You can be powerful with a few words like “NO.”