"Like a Girl"

Here comes a far less trivial post than my last, but one that should resonate with every single reader. Before continuing, I would urge you to watch the short video below, (and if you want to get really really pent up, then read the comments. I can't even):

I hold my hands up and admit that I am guilty of using language associated with the male gender to throw around a whimsical insult. Phrases such as 'man up' and 'grow some balls' are thrown around willy nilly (no pun intended). Why then are we constantly assuming that men are the stronger gender? Yes, they may stereotypically have more physical strength and might be able to run faster, throw further, fight better than women, but that's exactly where the problem stems from; societal stereotypes.

Stereotypes are everywhere. Remember kids, the chocolate Yorkie bar is not suitable for girls, and if you want to buy something specifically for girls, it's most probably going to be pink. Because obviously we only like things that are pink....

I call bullshit. 

When are we all going to be accepted on the same wave, as human beings, as opposed to being separated in to two very different distinct categories. Don't get me wrong, we're always going to be biologically different but acceptance of gender fluidity should be a thing. When stereotypes such as the above are still abundant in society, men and women are never going to be thought of as equal.

I would love to say that the world is doing something right as the young girls in the video above have obviously been raised to appreciate and comprehend the equality of genders, however, sadly I don't think that's the case. I think they simply haven't been tainted by the pressures of puberty, that which comes hand in hand with growing up (for boys as well may I add). Make up hasn't become a thing, sexual pressures remain absent and getting your homework in on time is the biggest of your woes. As soon as you grow boobs, for whatever reason, 'like a girl' becomes an insult.

When did it become acceptable to tell women, and men for that matter, that they need to act more like a man? Because women are fragile and men are the strong ones that we need to look up to? Hell no h20. Of course, 'woman up' and 'grow some breasts' isn't quite going to cut it, because that would just be hypocritical, but just because we have a perky (or not) pair of assets, doesn't mean we're weak and pathetic. 

It's so so difficult to explain this when the connotations surrounding feminism denote passive aggressive females. Just last week I asked my male friend if he was a feminist and he laughed in my face. Another guy I asked, responded 'of course not, I'm a man!'. Sorry I'm a raging lesbian with hairy armpits. 

"Like a girl" is not an insult and "Man up" is not a thing.

Yay to being human beings. 

Tinder Probs

So in the 21st century, where, for the majority of the time, the world of dating evolves from Tinder, an observatory post of Tinder woes and Tinder probs seemed more than timely. I'm sure you can all relate...

1. As you are swiping - 'no, no, no, meh, no, no, NOOO HOLY SHIT WHY DID I SWIPE LEFT ON HIM WHYYY.'

2.  Coming across someone you mildly know and thinking 'do I swipe left or right? What if we match and he thinks I fancy him? What if I swipe right and he doesn't, I will know forever more that he HATES ME.'

3. Accidentally swiping right on an absolute minger and thinking, 'yep, that's fate, I'm destined for an ogre.'

4. Stumbling across someone in public that you've matched, getting eye contact and immediately wanting to die. Fml. 

5. Matching someone, saying hi and them just never replying. Did you just suddenly decide that I got ugly?

6. Going on a Tinder date with someone who looks like they're a solid 8 out of 10 in pictures, but in reality, they are no more than a 3. Must. Think. Of. Escape. Route. Pronto. 

7. Seeing somebody absolutely amazing in public and thinking 'holy fuck he MUST be on tinder' and then proceeding to swipe left on so many good looking people just to find him because HE IS THE ONE. 

8. You've matched a pure God and it's too good to be true. You think 'omg I've found my husband, what will our bridesmaids wear?!', he starts conversation with 'hi bby, how are u? xx'. Plan ruined.


Happy Tindering!!!

Why it's okay to be a bit lost in your twenties.

So this isn't a particularly revolutionary post, or one with controversial views, it's simply an innocent rambling stemmed from the quote below:

‘Nothing will ruin your 20s more than thinking you should already have your life together.’

If there was ever a 'quote to live by', that right there, would be it. I  aways just presumed that by my twenties I would have my shit together and know exactly where I was going with my life. But when I think about where I will be in five years time, I have absolutely no idea, and although this is terrifying, it should be exciting too.

Traditionally, you go through the whirlwind of final year at University, you graduate from the most exciting three years of your life, and then it simply feels like you've been shoved off a plank into the deep end, not knowing what direction is up.

When we look at the instagrams of colleagues, friends and that random girl we just like to stalk, we just assume that everybody's life is so much more glamorous and exciting than our own. When we feel a bit shit or are having a generally down day, we use social media as our point of reference to feel so much worse (that Walden filter on instagram can make anything look worthy of envy). But guess what, it's okay to feel lost and a little bit shit. Stop comparing your life to other people's. We're not supposed to have our shit together and that means that we can get away with so much more.

We're at that wonderful age when we can still get away with lying in bed all day hungover on a Saturday, but we now simultaneously have responsibilities that we dreamt of when we were in our early teens; having your own place, working in an office and being able to wear heels in the day. I'm not one for the cringe factor, but for now I'm going to have to suck it, as your twenties are about exploring, making mistakes, going on awful dates, getting too drunk and learning about yourself.

I realise I'm writing this as if only twenty-somethings are reading, but whether you're nostalgic for the past or desperately clinging to your teen years, know that you can look back on or look forward to your twenties in it's entirety. So I'm just going to sit here in my jammies with a cup of tea on a Sunday afternoon and look forward to next weekend when as routine states, I will be getting pissed as a fart and eating too much unhealthy food. Because I can.