We are hair-flipping, manicured, shoe hoarders. We gossip too much, drink too much coffee, and try really hard to smell good all the time. We are girls – scratch that – we are women. For some inexcusable reason, we tend to pressure one another to look our best all the time and force ourselves to act like ladies for the sake of a boy. On one hand, I think our actions are a result of the evolution of society, but it seems so deeply rooted in my being to squeal when I see Jimmy Choo’s new line of shoes that I begin to wonder if we female homo sapiens have always been inherently girly.

There’s not really a logical explanation as to why a pair of pointed toe stilettos that make my feet want to fall off are so attractive to me, which is why I feel like us girls are so misunderstood. We are a mysterious species -- irrational beings with majestic qualities. We are perfectionists, drama queen and so desperately want to be taken seriously by the rest of the world despite what they might see as "flaws."

That being said, being a girl is not all glitter and rainbows. My gender has led me to become a victim to countless unwanted sexual advances that have seriously altered my innate femininity. There have been more than a few instances on L platforms where I’ve been approached and made felt severely uncomfortable, to the point where I carry headphones with me at all times and keep my gaze low when I’m riding the L alone to try to avoid such confrontations.

One particular instance is rather striking. As I was walking down the stairs to enter the Red Line in downtown Chicago, a man began directing at me a few very rude remarks (I won't elaborate, but you can use your imagination). As I ignored him and walked away, desperately trying to avoid the situation, he called me a "f***ing bitch," a "slut," and a few other misogynistic insults, yelling and following after me as I desperately tried to get away from the situation.

Fortunately for me, that was the end of that encounter for me. However, so many girls and women are approached and taken advantage of simply because of their biological makeup. We are spoken for by men, not given equal pay, get taken advantage of at bars, are scared to report rape, for fear of judgement, are being told how to treat our bodies by the opposite gender, who cannot even comprehend the inner workings of our bodies. Then we are told we're out of line for speaking up for women's rights, because "we already are equal."

Women are completely misunderstood, but how often does anyone ask what it's like to be a woman?

It's empowering. It's fabulous. It's glitter and rainbows and designer shoes. But it's also terrifying and unfair and completely frustrating. No one tells you about the men that stare as you walk across the street, or the cat-calls, or how hyper-aware I am of my surroundings at all times purely out of fear. No one tells you that other people are going to speak on your behalf, assuming they know what's best for you. No one tells you you're going to be the only girl in some of your classes, or that being a feminist has a negative connotation.

I bet no one has ever told you what it's really like to be a girl.