achievement

And what have we done?

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

The close of 2023 is fast approaching. Like many people, year end has me in a reflective mood. I’ve read a couple of year in reviews, both personal & global. I even had a look at my own from last year. All of which left me less than cheery.

I realised it has been a year of horror for the world. A year of underwhelming achievement for me. Neither elevates my mood. Given just how brutal & cruel events have been my own struggles pale. I still can’t quite shake the societal pressure to produce.

My health has been a shit show this year. That has greatly impacted my professional output. It has in fact resulted in subpar scores across the board. My house is a mess, my social life is decimated & my very ability to stay upright has been comprised. I don’t feel like a ‘productive member of society’. I’ve had to lean on friends & family more than I like and my ‘23 goals mostly remain unattained. I haven’t been able to attend protests or pull my weight on issues that desperately matter. There hasn’t been much to feel proud of.

I’m sure I am not alone in this feeling. It’s a tough time for many people. Maybe it is ok if we’re just getting by. Worth is not measured in such narrow parameters. Not giving up has value. Engaging and caring about the world matters. It can be difficult to really believe that when bombarded by hustle culture.

I get it. Intellectually I know that human merit isn’t about hours worked or pounds made. There is though, a part of me that feels inadequate when I can’t work. I feel ashamed of the overflowing washing basket and unwashed dishes. These feelings aren’t doing me or anyone else any good. I didn’t choose to be chronically ill and I am trying my best.

All of this to say, if you’re toting up your year and feel the total wanting; think again. You got up every day and did what you could. You’ve made a difference in lots of ways that you might not even realise. Small kindnesses, commiserations & making friends laugh. Perhaps even a smile you gave to a stranger in the street. People love you. You are appreciated. You made it through whatever struggles weighed you down. I did too. Maybe that is enough.

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Let’s hear it for the girls…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 1 Comment

It’s International Women’s Day again and we’re all applauding the amazing women who are soaring in all manner of ways. Whilst I am very much here for that, I also want to give a standing ovation to the women who are just about holding it together. I really want to shine a light on a different kind achievement. So often we overlook the strength it takes to just keep going on the face of adversity.

Neon together we will burn brighter

I want this IWD to be about the women living with chronic illness, mental illness, inequality in the workplace, trying to make ends meet, shitty relationships & everything else that weighs you down. Perhaps you’re not launching your own collection, pulling in 6 figures or living the insta glam life. That does not mean you aren’t striving and succeeding. Every day that you get out of bed despite being wracked with pain, you’re killing it. Every single mother who loves, feeds & inspires her child(ren) every day is changing the world. Forcing yourself out the door when you’d rather curl into a ball & cry, is winning. Steering your own course in a workplace that is designed for the comfort & advancement of men makes you a boss. All the women who have to fight stigma & danger to claim their womanhood, you are queens. Even if you were unable to wash your face or get dressed today the fact that you are still here, still living, still fighting is enough.

We are all Wonder Woman

*

We all know smart, talented women who are doing the best with the hand they’ve been dealt. That may mean that their successes aren’t as big & shiny as those we’ve become accustomed to celebrating, but they count. Those hard won achievements deserve acclaim. This year let’s hear for the women who keep their worlds spinning every day in spite of universe’s attempts to thwart them.

*Wonder women print by SaturnTwinsArtShop.