Five Ways to Feel Empowered This International Women’s Day

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, and there is no better time to celebrate women all over the globe. We want to encourage women to feel empowered, it can be as small as giving a compliment to another woman or as big as going on holiday.

Whilst women should feel empowered every single day, why not start on Independence Women’s Day and see which habits you can use in your daily life.

    1.      Take a Break

You don’t have to go on vacation and leave the country, but you can take a short vacation from life’s duties. There is nothing better than shutting off your social media and electronics, putting on some good music and enjoying some time to yourself.

It doesn’t even have to be something relaxing like a bath and a face mask. It can be getting round to watching that box set you’ve always wanted to see, eating pizza in bed or going for a long drive. Don’t be afraid to say you want some alone time to wear pajamas and watch YouTube videos, equally don’t be afraid to use the day as an excuse to catch up with your girlfriends.

Remember, take the break you want and not the one you think you’re supposed to have. Also, remember to try to turn social media off, and DO NOT reply to that work email.

    2.      Try Something New

It is very easy to feel stuck in a rut. We eat the same breakfast, take the same route to work, do the same gym class… you get the idea. Too much of our daily life is scheduled, you know which bus you’re going to get and what you’ve packed for lunch, you know what podcast you’ll listen to and what TV show you’ll watch before going to bed.

Jumping out of your comfort zone is actually really healthy. We’re not saying jump out of a plane or quit your job. It can be something really small like wearing a red lipstick instead of a nude to work, riding your bike to work instead of taking public transport or trying a new hair color.

Recent studies conclude that trying new activities can boost self-worth and release feel-good endorphins in your brain. Try to do something that’s a little different at least once a week. From big adventures to little adjustments, you’re never too old to try something new.       

    3.      Educate Yourself

Take the time to learn about some of the impressive women in history, and in current times, who have fought for the rights we have today. From ancient queens and warrior princess to sporting champions and feminist authors, there are plenty of inspiring women to learn about. Learn how other pioneering women overcame their struggles to become icons.

 There are some fantastic books by Gloria Steinem, Audre Lorde and Janet Mock. These pioneering and inspiration women write about feminism and how being a woman impacted their lives and career. If you aren’t much of a reader, or simply don’t have the time, try out a podcast. Some of our favourite podcasts include the hilarious The Guilty Feminist, bitch media and Call Your Girlfriend.

    4.      Spread Support

There is no doubt that you have powerful women in your life. Let the women who shaped who you and support you through life know who they are. Sometimes we can take people for granted, tell someone how much they mean to you, it doesn’t have to be in person it could be over text, social media or through a tagged meme.

Group chat your girls and tell them how awesome they are. Give your mother, sister, auntie or grandmother a hug. You can even spread support to those who you don’t know as well.  Next time you buy a coffee, compliment the server on her lipstick or tell a woman in the mall that you like her hair colour. Sometimes a smile and a small gesture like holding a door can spread positivity.

You’ll feel good about spreading love and are likely to make someone’s day at least a little bit better. Raise others up with compliments will go a long way to making everyone feel more confident.

    5.      Practice Mindfulness

We are happy to spend money on gym memberships, expensive lipsticks and high-end handbags, but yet not enough of us spend time on caring for our minds. Practising mindfulness is the perfect way to counteract all the stresses of modern life. It will give you the ability to respond thoughtfully, think clearly and become a better problem solver.

Meditation and yoga are great ways to practice mindfulness but it can also just be just taking a moment to thank yourself, live in the moment and reflect on your day. Mindfulness is also accepting the way we process our feelings without judging them. It enables you to live in the present and not rehash the past or worry about the future. It’s not just about your mental health, practicing mindfulness can also help encourage healthier eating habits and fights obesity.