March 7, 2024
“Dare to be you”
by Lena Severin
How do we see ourselves as women? How do we feel in this role and how do we experience ourselves individually and as a community? What challenges do we face - individually and collectively?
These questions concern all of us in one way or another throughout our lives. We asked almost 1,000 customers how they perceive and experience themselves as women. With the aim of determining where there are common challenges that we face as women. We would like to use these results to open a conversation about precisely these challenges. For you. For us. For every person who feels addressed.
What we want to do with this article is to help us see ourselves more as a community that collectively follows the same paths and faces the same questions, the same doubts and the same challenges.
The results of our survey got us thinking and in some places even surprised us in a very positive way. But the best thing was all the comments we received on the open questions. So much positivity and encouragement needs space. That's why I would like to share a selection of the answers with you here:
What could encourage more women to be more confident and accept themselves?
"Build a community where you feel supported/encouraged to be who you are."
"Break framings like being too loud/too much."
"Social media is not a benchmark for me - because it often only focuses on external appearances. Your true values lie within you. If you live these with conviction, you are truly you and you shine from within."
"Equality, mutual support, less self-criticism, transparency, recognizing opportunities."
"Many women appear confident on the outside, but are not. It's just that no one knows it except them. If we talk openly about it and see that many women feel the same way, who we would never have expected to, it might help us to become more confident ourselves."
"Less jealousy and more support for each other."
"Show different types of women in advertisements."
"Less pressure to perform or general pressure from, for example, social media."
"Clearer communication in society that individuality and diversity are viewed positively. Reduction of stereotypes/pressure to be perfect."
"More honest communication from role models, sharing insecurities with family members and friends - showing that everyone has insecurities."
"More recognition in society."
"Take care of yourself and not try to please everyone."
"Feminist education work as early as possible."
"When all women speak openly about their shame and self-doubt."
"More women in leadership positions, more presence in important decisions, more support through communication."
"To break away from all conventions and to take exactly what triggers a feeling of well-being and joy."
"I think we need to be more open with each other and stop judging each other."
"When women do not focus on beauty ideals but accept their bodies."
"Becoming aware of what the female body can do and that it is perfect even with curves!"
What would you like to pass on to your younger self from your current perspective?
"Never act out of fear, but to be in balance."
"You can't change anyone, only your own reactions to things."
"Dare to be you."
"Enjoy life."
"You don't have to compare yourself. You are exactly right the way you are!"
"Enjoy your 20s, everything comes in due time."
"Enjoy the moment."
"You can say no and it doesn't matter what others think of you."
"Separate yourself from those who are not good for you!"
"Being different is a gift worth accepting, not a burden. You don't always have to try to fit in at all costs, but you can create something unique from your own talents and imperfections."
"You have to take care of yourself, life is a marathon, not a sprint. Manage your energy."
"You are good just the way you are. Enjoy yourself."
"Be good to yourself, always!"
"Trust your instincts."
"Set more boundaries, say no more often and don't judge other people by their appearance."
"You can do everything."
"Don't let yourself be pigeonholed into a role model."
"Be brave and open to everything."
What was the nicest compliment you ever received?
"That I light up every room I enter, am authentic and have a radiant smile."
"That my soul is wonderful :)"
"You're great! And I was without makeup and far from my ideal weight :-)"
"These are the ones where you are not there when others are talking positively about you in your absence."
"That I am the best colleague and my boss never wants to let me go again."
"When I enter the room, the sun rises."
"I admire how you manage to do all this."
"I would have loved to have had such a wonderful, open, self-confident woman like you as a daughter!"
"You are balm for the soul."
"My son at 19: My mother taught me everything..."
"I am very lucky to have you in my life."
"Your soul shines like a star."
"Thanks to you, I had the best childhood anyone could wish for."
"That my new self-confidence suits me well."
"I love you because of your mistakes, not despite your mistakes."
"I was told that I had made a positive difference in someone's life just by entering their life."
"You are a good listener and I know that I can tell you anything. You make me feel completely understood."
"Your heart is beautiful because your eyes laugh."
"That I am a very lively person full of energy, that I am empathetic."
"When I enter the room the whole room shines."
"With you I can be who I am and don't have to pretend."
"My words, my messages are like valuable seeds that I plant in people's hearts so that they can blossom and grow."
"That I have a positive impact on someone's life."
"You bring so much light/positivity into the room."
"You are a goddess among men."
"That I have a good gift for accepting others as they are and building them up spiritually."
"I want to be like you."
If I have learned one thing from this survey and the many valuable responses, it is how important it is that we talk to each other and give each other the feeling that we share the same challenges, questions and issues that concern us. And perhaps it will then be easier for us to find answers for ourselves personally.