I am 50 years old this year and if there’s one thing I’d like to tell younger women, it’s this: Spend less time crying in the bathroom and more time kicking ass. Or as I told my own daughters, don’t have a wishbone where your backbone should be. Save yourself.
Yes, the world can be cruel, misogyny sucks, and the cards are stacked against us in so many ways. But I would love to see a lot less “I cried so much” and a lot more “I told him to fuck off” when I look around the internet. Seriously. Stop being nice. Stop putting up with his bullshit. Refuse to carry his burdens, whoever he is, boyfriend, father, boss, husband.
I grew up with an abusive father and I’ve been through some shit that seriously fucked me up. Which is why I’m here now, saying this. If you’re afraid of men or if you think you need to please men, get therapy. Read a self-help book. Go to a karate or a krav maga class. Make friends with other women. Find other survivors. Learn how to punch things. Buy pepper spray. Get an education. Take your power back.
You are beautiful just the way you are. Don’t let men, commercials or corporations tell you otherwise.
~ J.L. Hilton
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