IWD22

As a copy writer, I have written countless blogs and articles over the last several years for other people and other companies about “Women”.  Feel free to scan the blog list here to find some of the treats!

I have written about politicians and writers, about musicians & film stars, about international sportswomen and incredible teams. Well-known names and people in the media who make it their brand to be all about supporting and empowering. I’m all for that and I will always love a good feminist profile so there’s no complaints here. That said, I don’t know these women. They are aspirational figures and they set an excellent example, in many cases, for the small feminist foot soldiers coming through the ranks but they don’t exactly impact my daily life – other than my Instagram scroll and occasional retail “influencing” obvs. 

I’m talking about the everyday legends. The people who are just getting on with their lives and attempting to get through the metaphorical washing basket. I don’t know many women who don’t to-do list their day into a thousand tasks. I don’t know many women who only have one single job, like in ye olden times when you worked 9 to 5 and your day was done. We live in the age of multiple self-employed roles, the gig economy, doubling down on part time opportunities, juggling more than one career role, working for yourself or the family business whatever that might be. Home working during the pandemic has made every day a working day, every minute a possibility for productivity. It’s exhausting.

That’s not even taking into consideration caring for small families or loved ones, taxi driving and covering 40 miles a day for the extra curricular activities. It’s doesn’t factor in the women who excel in volunteer work in our rural communities, charitable work, philanthropy, sports clubs, kids clubs and community support. The women who don’t hesitate to work extra long hours teaching at our local schools, adding in social work and all-encompassing care for our village kids as an added bonus. Working in home care, or just making sure to check in on friends or neighbours. The women who bring jewellery, art, music, photography, writing, thought, beauty, ambition into the world. It’s a way of life. Every woman I know can fit a week’s work into one day. Let’s just call that Monday.

If you want to be down with the kids, you’ll refer to the “hustle”. The side hustle, the daily hustle, the work hustle. I hate that term. It gives the impression that you might not be entitled to the thing for which you are working so hard, that it is some kind of a game. Hustle gives the idea that you need to be sneaky and run some kind of a Soderburgh-heist to make your work werk. It’s not hustle. It’s ridiculous levels of commitment and hard yakka. It’s a to-do list that stretches across time and the universe. It's where exhaustion meets achievement and the small victories. 

The thing that keeps the world turning is the support of friends and loved ones and the example set by almost strangers. It’s the women who keep you sane, who work the extra shift, who go the extra mile, who keep you motivated and make you laugh. It’s good feedback and warm words. It’s helping hands and a support network of incredible women across all corners of life. It’s WhatsApp jokes and IG shares. It’s occasional coffees and massive measures in your Friday cocktail special or the Sunday fizz. It’s childcare when you need it and when you can offer it. It’s an email. It’s a phone call. It’s your Mum telling you she’s proud of you. It’s the holiday you can take after all or the unexpected day/night/shift off. And make no mistake, it all comes directly from the unassuming hard-grafting women around you. The women who know what it’s like and who know how complex, complicated, confusing and always comedic every day routine can be.

This is my love letter to these women. I see you  going about your days (not in a creepy way) and if I haven’t told you so properly, thank you. I am constantly in awe of the women in my life – on my doorstep, in my community, in my work, geographically distant or always in my phone - who smash the ceiling, set the bar high and inspire every day. The women who constantly demonstrate without ever really thinking about it, how incredible, resilient, productive, brave, courageous, clever and bold they all are. I want to be just like you when I grow up, but in the meantime, you keep smashing it and when if ever you need it, I’m ready to mix the drinks.

Happy International Women’s Day.

 #breakthebias