When I consider what femininity means to me, it’s deeply intertwined with my sense of self and the life I’ve lived. Femininity, in my experience, isn’t a set of prescribed behaviors or outward appearances; it’s a deeply rooted part of my identity that has always been with me, even when the world around me tried to impose a different narrative.
Growing up, despite external pressures and expectations to conform to a more masculine identity, I always felt that my true self was inherently female. Femininity, for me, is the embodiment of empathy, intuition, and an intrinsic drive to nurture and connect on a profound level. It’s about embracing the complexities of emotion, understanding the power of vulnerability, and recognizing that strength can come from compassion just as much as it can from resilience.
In my life, femininity has manifested in my passion for creative expression—whether through writing, photography, or the way I connect with others. It has guided me through my journey of self-acceptance, reminding me that my worth isn’t tied to societal definitions of gender but rather to the authenticity with which I live my life.
Femininity, to me, is also about defiance—defying the norms that tried to box me into an identity that never fit. It’s about standing strong in my truth, not as a rejection of masculinity, but as an affirmation of who I am. My femininity is both a source of pride and a reflection of the battles I’ve fought to be seen, understood, and respected as the woman I have always been.
Ultimately, femininity is as varied and unique as the women who embody it. For me, it means living with intention, leading with my heart, and embracing the fullness of my identity without compromise. It is both a quiet strength and a loud declaration of self—a balance of grace and grit that has shaped every aspect of who I am.
August 31, 2024
I love this! My daughter and I are both very feminine but—I wear makeup and she hates wearing it, I wear flowery clothes and she’s more street style—femininity is inside us, not an external show, as you say!
I’m the same way as your daughter in that regard. I will only wear flowery dresses if it’s a special occasion, and the rest of the time, I wear more gender-neutral clothes. I too absolutely despise makeup and never wear it, although I a flat-out obsessed with lip gloss.
Thanks for your comment, Suzanne! 🙂
I love that you say femininity is deeply intertwined with your sense of self. An expression I don’t hear anymore but used to hear regularly was “I’m getting in touch with my feminine side”. Occasionally people would talk about a “masculine side” too, but not as much. But femininity, which you express so wonderfully, isn’t a “side”, something that can be turned outward or hidden. We’re all a blend of qualities, even if the amounts vary from person to person.
Identifying as female is not just a part of who I am—it’s at the very core of my identity, my personality, and my life experience. For me, femininity isn’t something that I can simply “get in touch with” like a separate part of myself; it’s woven into everything I do and how I see the world. It’s not a side that I can choose to express or hide. It’s a constant, essential part of my being. While everyone may carry both traditionally masculine and feminine traits in varying degrees, my femininity has always been the defining force in shaping how I move through life and interact with the world around me. It’s as natural as breathing, and I wouldn’t be me without it.