For women to be strong, it is a common misconception they must abandon their femininity and hide what makes them different from men. Manicured nails and mascaraed eyelashes are a sign of weakness and we have been taught that what it means to be female is what it means to be weak. But with fearless female role models, such as Tina Fey, Sylvia Plath, and Malala Yousifazi, we have learned to embrace what it means to be woman, what it means to strong and this is why.

1. They don’t compare themselves with other women.

There’s a saying, “comparison is the thief of happiness," but it’s also the thief of strength. Anytime a beautiful woman enters a room, you can hear the whispers from the peanut gallery about her appearance. Commenting on her looks won’t make her less attractive and won’t make you more attractive. Just because she is beautiful, doesn’t mean that you are not. Her beauty doesn’t take away yours. Celebrate the difference is in one another and be grateful for them.

2. They don’t care about the double standard.

Strong woman acknowledge the ever-present double standard. Women aren’t supposed to sleep with that many men, women aren’t allowed to have higher aspirations as their male counterpart. Strong women do not care. They will fight to have it all, if that is what they want. It can make dating hard because insecure men can be intimidated, but it’s a blessing in disguised to weed out the weak ones.

3. They don’t judge other women.

Strong women aren’t looking at what others are doing because they’re too busy working on bettering themselves. Friends groups constantly make negative comments about others to comfort one another - but why break someone down to build someone else up? The opinion of others does not matter, so why not break that cycle of negativity? There’s no need to knock people down on your climb up.

4. They don’t base their worth off other’s approval.

This can make dating difficult. Men don’t know how to handle you. Since your worth is not dependent on other people, you don’t feel a need to compete with others or draw unnecessary attention to yourself. You don’t need to prove yourself because you know how great you are. You don’t waste your time on men who aren’t as strong as you. Since you’re not constantly seeking reassurance, you’re not needy. A man as strong as you will appreciate that; a boy will assume you’re not interested.

5. They don’t do anything they’re not comfortable with.

You know who you are and what your limits are. You can say no to people and not be afraid of their response. You don’t feel the pressure of others to do anything because you know what’s best for you and how that triumphs anything else. You leave relationships or people who don’t treat you the way you deserve to be. Putting out to make them like you is a foreign concept to you because if they don’t see what’s in front of them, that’s their loss.

6. They don’t try to be anyone else, but who they are.

You are unapologetically you. You can feel confident in your flaws because you know it's what makes you who you are and doesn’t make you less incredible.