Career Confidence

18It's Hard to Be a Woman, So Start a Business

The allure of the female form has captivated humanity for as long as our species has existed. The female face has been responsible for launching ships and starting wars. It has been the face of revolution, societal movements, widespread uprisings, resistance and rebellion against governments, and equality rights advancements for thousands of years. Women are viewed as objects of desire, fierce competitors, great protectors, and a soft place to land.

How can all these elements be seamlessly encapsulated, unified, and characterized as a singular entity? One individual? Women have long bore the burden of being all things to all people.

We must be attractive but not enough to make other women jealous.

We must be beautiful, but not threatening.

We must be smart, but not smarter than our male counterparts.

We must be empathetic, kind, compassionate, but not weak.

We must be powerful, but not aggressive.

We must be good mothers, good friends, good partners, good daughters, good siblings, and good humans, but we shouldn't expect any platitudes, praise, or rewards for our efforts.

If this describes how you feel about being a woman at work or at home, you are not alone. A woman is expected to embody the qualifies of femininity, vulnerability, and grace.

If you work a full-time job, you are also expected to work another full-time one at home, especially if you have children, a spouse, or others to take care of.

Being a woman is exhausting. ...