"I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B. Anthony

This quote is versatile and can be applied and analyzed in many different situations, women's rights being the most obvious one. Mostly, though, I want to go into the 'why' - why is protection so important?

Historically, female independence was seen as irrelevant and unnecessary. Even today, some parts of the world have not deviated from that original mindset and consider females as less "valuable" than men, as if there was a worth more than being human. Thought systems like these have found their counterparts through the values from prominent female figures, one being Susan B. Anthony. Naturally, at a time when suffrage was not granted to women by men, it was important for key figures like Susan B. Anthony to establish that in their fight there was a need for self-protection.

Today, we fight for causes and ideals that are different but at their core, very similar. We fight for equality in pay, the ability to marry, have access to healthcare, to remain innocent until proven guilty, and to be seen as just as capable as the person on the pedestal.

That's already a lot, and there's a whole lot more.

With everything happening in the world right now, self-protection for everyone is an imperative tool. There will always be something that we find challenging: too much work and too little time, not finding work and feeling unproductive, fear of change, and life-changing events. We know how to protect ourselves physically, but what about emotionally?

Protection is your self-care, and if you aren't sure what your self-care points are, it all comes down to what gives you energy.

Do that which gives you energy.

Track and curb how much time you spend on social media. Maybe listen to podcasts or audiobooks instead. Go down a rabbit hole of your favorite artist's old music. Listen to your teenage bops. Watch tutorials for and finally make that dish you've always wanted to make. Start that new workout program you've been putting off.

Meditate, watch some TV or your favorite YouTube channel, play an instrument, knit, cook, read, write, exercise, take a walk, take an online class, talk with your family, FaceTime friends and loved ones, play board games, reorganize, take care of each other - do it all, do just one, or just be.

Life is moving on and things will get better - even if it feels like the world has stopped in a low place. Make sure that if anything has stopped, it is the fear of things not getting better.

💜