Men and women experience pressure every day to “fit the part” of their gender. Advertisements, wanting attention, desiring the approval of others, and expected standards of beauty push these social constructs of how a man or woman is “supposed” to be.

Women are pressured to curl their hair, put on form-fitting clothing, apply mascara and foundation, and exercise and eat a certain way in order to maintain a certain body type. Certain interests and activities are off-limits to women because those are “guy things.” Likewise, men are pressured to lift weights and take protein to “get big”, dress a certain way so they don’t look “gay,” and treat women a certain way in order to feel like a man.

You do not have to look or act or talk a certain way just because society tells you that you have to.

I am a young woman. I love to play and to watch sports, and I love beating the guys in my fantasy football league. I love to lift, and my sense of humor is somewhat "guy-ish." I wear baggy t-shirts every day, and I enjoy kicking it with my guy friends. I'm not talented when it comes to hair or makeup, so I can usually be found with my hair down or in a messy ponytail and my face free of eye-shadow or highlighter.

On the other hand, one of my best friends is very girly and I love that about her. Her hair and makeup always look flawless, and her fashion sense is impeccable. She doesn't know a thing about football, and she doesn't pretend to. She is naturally more maternal and sensitive to others than I am, and I admire her for that.

I used to feel very self-conscious about not being girly enough, but now I understand that being a female doesn't mean the same thing for me as it does for my friend. As women, we should feel secure enough to be or act or talk any way we feel comfortable too. If wearing dresses and acting ladylike makes me feel uncomfortable except for on special occasions, then I don't have to do that. If watching football and playing video games is not of interest to my friend, then she doesn't have to do that.

In the same way, I wish more men understood that it is totally okay to be secure enough in your masculinity to do things that are not particularly masculine. Some of my best guy friends are the stereotypical pictures of manhood, and even they enjoy the occasional chick flick or girly drink. Men are not any less manly if they cry during a movie or take a pass on the protein. Men are allowed to be sweet and sensitive, and they're allowed to be in touch with their emotions. It doesn't make them more girly in any way.

Gender is heavily shaped and constructed by society, but I believe the unspoken "rules" of gender shouldn't be as restrictive as they are. We are all created as unique. No two people are going to have the exact same combination of interests, style preferences, humor, way of speech, talents, or personality traits. Just do you, and rock it with confidence.