Why do we have this day?
I think my problem with celebrating International Women's Day is that we have to have one. Like, a whole day to celebrate just women or men (November 19th, before you ask). Women have been in constant pursuit of equality and even one day of the year to celebrate us seems hilarious to me. If we want to get truly technical, women represent slightly more than 50% of Canada's population as of July 1st, 2019. Yet we live in a "man's world", and fight every day for our voices to be heard. The funniest thing is we could shout about it all till we're blue in the face and it wouldn't change a thing. Globally, women earn 23% less than men on average. Worldwide, women occupy not even 25% of parliamentary seats. All we can do is call attention to the disparity that exists, year after year after year. Sad.
Until I had a baby I didn't pay attention to public washrooms - in fact, I intentionally avoided having to use them. Is this something you've thought about? Most likely the answer will be yes if you are someone's mom. If we go to a restaurant to dine as a family, nine times out of 10, I'm the one who has to change the baby's diaper. Not because it's a women's job, but because women are seen as the ones who perform this task on a regular basis. And because it's an expense that can be avoided or limited. How much would it cost for a restaurant to install a baby changing table in the men's room? Or better yet, have gender-neutral washrooms that accommodate everybody including infants? What is the cost of equality? This question will be asked till the end of times.
Still, I believe it's not a bad thing for a women to celebrate. But that's just it - for us to celebrate each other. I don't mean a business to host an International Women's Day lunch where the men in the office get to eat our fucking cake. We women are the ones who should be celebrating: All Women, cis women; young and old.
Today is about women who are brave, intelligent, special, unique, authentic, and needed. For the day, I guess.
I'll tell you a little about me since I don't think I've done that in the past 14 years:
I'm a daughter, first.
An older sister.
A younger sister.
Recently, a wife.
For 11 months, a mother.
I'm also an auntie, cousin, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, subscriber, amateur chef, observer, writer, reader, driver, and friend. I'm a women who still lives in the city I was born. I'm a statistic. I'm a person who thinks a lot, counts out loud, listens to music and talks to herself.
My favourite colour is green. I like making things and laughing (at myself). Sometimes I feel really powerful and other times I just want to curl up under a blanket and watch TV. When I think about the life I want to life, it involves exploring the world. My ideal life involves being in control of my finances and having financial peace of mind. I don't have all the pieces put together yet but I know I want those things and feel I have it in me to achieve them.
I doubt myself.
I overthink.
I get too worried.
I forget.
This last one is so accurately me, it's scary. I forget how far I've come and how my life experiences have lead to me having a lot. In fact, I have more than many others in some cases. "We want what we don't have." is a phrase I'm reminded of as I type this.
54 weeks since my last blog entry here. I am grateful to have a space like this where I can just me myself. No matter how much time passes between posts, I feel safe to write what I'm thinking. Should I use a comma in certain place? Do I abuse the semi-colon? Who the fuck cares?
Two years ago I decided to create an online space for Firstborn Daughters because I wanted to belong to a specific group of women. It's a Facebook group and I don't use Facebook but sometimes I'll ask a question or post an image in there. The group has 0 members and receives little to no engagement but it's a space that I claimed for me and others who might relate.
Women must make spaces for themselves.
Everywhere.
Can I use one word as a sentence? Fuck yeah! How about two?
Yes.
Yes. A million times, yes.
Thank you for reading, if you've reached this point.
Have a happy fucking women's day.
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