I spent my Sunday evening doing two things. One was ranting in a group text with two of my close girlfriends and the second was struggling to decide what I wanted to write about this week. I had nearly given up when my friend texted our group, saying, "Being a girl is rough. I spent 30 minutes on my hair and I still look like a hobo." I laughed, of course, as I do at every random message that comes from these two girls; but then I realized that she had a point. Being a girl is not as easy as it seems despite how (hopefully) effortless we might make it seem. The struggles of being a girl are alive and real in the 21st century.
1. We aren't rich enough to afford the style we want
We can look through Pinterest for hours searching for the perfect outfits, but realistically, though, it never looks the same. Our attempts are often lacking because, let's face it, we don't have the money to have a Pinterest closet; not yet, anyway. Yet that is expected of us daily. We can try our best to replicate the outfits we love, but they don't always turn out well.
2. Our hair has a mind of its own
Even with short hair, it can often take around 30 minutes for us to do our hair, and we still aren't promised beautiful results. Messy buns take work, any girl knows that.
3. The word "bitch"
Double standards are real. If we speak our mind, we are instantly considered bitchy, whereas if a man does, he is "taking charge." We have to embrace the word "bitch" if we ever plan on getting anywhere in life.
4. Makeup
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of makeup, but this can make a girl's life difficult. Have you seen how many brushes, blenders, and tools there are just to doll yourself up? Girls are almost expected to wear make up in this day and age and, trust me, this is not always an easy task.
5. We are pitted against each other.
Girls are always assumed to be in competition with each other. We are all guilty of it. Society tells us we must be better, so we are always competing with one another to be prettier, smarter, happier, and generally better. Even if we don't realize we are doing it, it is often happening.
6. Our monthly reminder that we aren't pregnant.
Do I really need to explain this one?
7. Catcalls
We are seen as objects by far too many people in this world. We can rarely walk down the street without a comment or obnoxious gesture being made. We are taught growing up how to deal with this "societal norm." How crazy is that?!
Bras are the WORST! We don't WANT to wear something so constricting, we HAVE to.
9. Shaving
It's one of the most annoying features that comes with being a girl. You try having what the catcallers call "legs for days" and having to shave them standing up in a shower. It's not easy.
10. The "salad stereotype"
Why do people expect me to order salads at fancy restaurants because I am a girl? Don't get me wrong, I love salads, and I'll order it if I'm in the mood for it, but I hate when people are surprised if I don't want one. Excuse me while I continue breaking this stereotype. Steak, please!
11. The impossible-to-attain standards
This one just ties everything in together. As women we are expected to have big booties, tiny waists, a good chest, flawless face, long shiny hair, etc. The beauty standards pressed down on us are impossible to attain without massive amounts of plastic surgery. We are expected to look this way naturally, too (better not take too long to get ready, or we're high maintenance!).
All this being said, I love being a girl. I do. There are so many great things that come with being a woman. That doesn't mean that it's an easy life we, as women, live. This is all the more reason why it is important that we stick together. We must support and encourage one another, because at the end of the day, we are the only ones who understand the true struggle of being a girl.
