Being a girl is rough. Society has so many expectations for us, and some things are beyond our control. Of all the struggles that come with womanhood, these are my top five.
Periods
A.K.A. Satan's waterfall, Aunt Flow, crimson tide, shark week, or simply your time of the month. All girls know the inexorable suffering that periods bring. I won't get into the details, but I'll tell you it's bloody hell!
Shaving
Yeah, I know girls aren't the only ones who have to shave. But I would gladly choose to shave my face over my legs. There's a huge difference in surface area. Besides, guys can get away with not shaving. Some people find it attractive. But if a girl gets caught with unshaved legs, people are disgusted. Even girls! We can't even look out for each other. We preach body positivity but cringe at a little leg hair. Thankfully, winter is hibernation season for my legs. Don't ask, don't tell.
Buying clothes
Again, guys do this too. But it's a very different experience for girls. Buying clothes is never casual for us. We're making a commitment with every piece we add to our wardrobe. It has to be perfect. It has to reflect who we are. At least, that's how it is for some girls. My problem with buying clothes is that I struggle to find the right size. Plus-sized girls aren't catered to as much as the media would have you believe. Don't even get me started on swimsuits! Another reason to be thankful for winter: jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters.
Everything’s more expensive
Have you ever heard of the pink tax? It’s the idea that women have to pay more than men for the same thing simply because it’s marketed to girls. The most common example would be razors. It’s expensive to to be a woman. Along with paying for overpriced razors, we also have to buy pads and tampons and whatever else we need to get through our periods, even though we don’t choose to have them.
Guys
I know not all girls feel that guys are the only romantic option, but it's how I feel. My experience with guys has been, in a word, troubling. You would think I'd have given up by now, but I'm pretty resilient. Admittedly, I hate who I become when I have a crush on someone. Guys can bring out the worst in me. I guess I'm just holding out for someone who brings out the best.
Girls, I'm sure you can relate. As hard as being a girl can be, it certainly has its perks. I'd say we're pretty blessed. After all, at least we're not guys!