What an interesting time to be a woman, furthermore, what an interesting time to be alive! Over the past decade there has been a surge within the millennial generation to fight on this pursuit of "feminism". However, I am angered to say that many have manipulated and twisted this pursuit into being a battle of the sexes; an extremist movement where woman are called to claim power and dominate. This is not how this movement was intended, and that is not my feminism. The definition of feminism is the social and political equality of the sexes. This means man and woman, and any pronoun in between, stand together, united and equal. To me feminism means empowering ourselves to be limitless, to be free and capable to accomplish anything that we choose to. Yes, women deserve equal pay to men, but no, we do not demand so because we are greater. This fills me with such distaste and reaps all of us who look toward feminism as an outlet for hope and a means to find a voice in this divided and prejudiced world. Ladies, don't stop shaving your legs and body hair because "men have expected us to be hairless cats" or to spite them and prove something. Grow out your hair because you like having body hair, do it as a reflection of yourself and no other. When we act in spite of another, against "the man", we aren't claiming power, only giving it away. I am proud to be a woman, and have come from a long line of intelligent, strong, nurturing and resilient women. One day, I hope for my daughter to be proud of her femininity as well, but not because women have united and torn apart men in order to accomplish a sense of superiority, but because she feels proud of the skin she bares and the mind she's grown, on her own terms. To me, feminism is an opportunity for men and women to seek their differences and celebrate them in themselves and each other. It is not a competition, because at the core, we are all human beings, and it is only society that adorns us with these labels. It is purely social construct. It is my hope for feminism to empower women to seek their strengths and gifts and to use that to create happiness within themselves and give their greatness to serve the world around them. If each of us could do that, there would be no sexism, no racism, nor words of hate spewed across news castings, social media and unto others. We need to realize that there is no you and he and her and that and them, the only person you have control over is yourself and your own destiny. Yes, we should have equal opportunity to fulfill each of our dreams, but we must realize that this is an individual pursuit. We as human beings were created equal and born unto this world the same way as that man or that women, and it takes every single one of us to comprise a society, to accomplish peace, and we will never find that path so long as we remain divided. So here I am, an equalist, calling for a reclaiming of feminism as it was truly intended to be, calling for all peoples to be the goodness and the love and the uniqueness of their own spirit. I call all men and women to stop radicalizing this movement as a need for women to dominate, and to put down men, and to stop men from doing the same to women, and come together in celebration of our homogenous humanity.
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1. When you see each other after a hiatus it is like no time has passed.
Regardless of what you may have gone through, nothing can change the banter and personal communication you and your friends share. Nothing feels awkward or forced because you are having too much fun catching up!
2. You plan your outings around each other's schedules.
Your friend's work schedules or class schedules are memorized like the back of your hand. They are your priority, and you will do anything you can to get them to join you on adventures when it is convenient to do so.
3. You say 'I love you' on the phone.
Yes, you may say it in real life too, but saying it after a phone call means it has become a customary for you to validate your appreciate for one other. Like a significant other or family member, you feel the desire to express your love at the end of a conversation.
4. Nothing is boring when you are together.
No matter what you do together, you always have a good time. Why? Because your friends' company is all you need. With the right people, you can make any situation memorable.
5. You share weird inside jokes no one else understands.
And you would like to keep it that way. If you are anything like my friend group, we share a strange family dynamic that has lasted as a running joke forever. No matter what it is, your inside jokes and sly smirks will keep the spirits up for ages.
6. You plan to hang out for a couple hours but end up together the entire day.
So now you just expect it and prepare for a 24-hour long get-together. Naps are often a part of the agenda.
7. The hugs say a thousand words.
Perhaps you do it a little too much, but the hugs you share are always meaningful and comforting. Gotta love those group hugs especially!
8. You go on spontaneous adventures together.
It is where your favorite memories come from. Even though you might not be able to do them as much as you would like, you are always down for a trip, big or small, with the group.
9. You consider each other family.
Because you consider each other family, you treat each other like family. Constant love, constant support, and a tremendous amount of meals spent together.
10. They make you a better person.
It is not a special friend group unless you learn from one another. You had to be selective when choosing your friends and when you did, you felt like they could teach you a thing or two. Their actions influence who you are and you could not be more thankful.
11. You can't imagine life without them.
The very thought scares you and sends your heart racing. Thankfully, the ultimate friend group is right there with you so you never have to second-guess their loyalty. Instead, you can bask in the glory that is your ultimate friend group. #squadgoals.
1. No school = no stress.
There are no essays to write, no books to read, and no deadlines to meet. The only worry in the world is keeping track of putting sunblock on.
2. Country music is more fun to listen to.
All true fans will listen to country music 365 days a year, but we all know that it's so much better in the summer when you can roll down the windows.
3. Your skin looks and feels better.
Even if you don't have the type of skin that tans, there is more color there than in the winter ... maybe. Freckles, tan lines, peeling burns and clear skin make for a happier camper. You'll forget all about the ghost version of yourself that was shedding dry skin like a snake over the winter.
4. Being barefoot 24/7 is an option.
Obviously wearing no shoes in the middle of a blizzard isn't acceptable. You know what is, though? Wearing no shoes in the summer ever because why not?
5. Ice cream is an acceptable snack.
For people like me who can't resist ice cream even on a 10 degree day, summer is a giant ice cream blessing. Not only does it taste like heaven, it's actually refreshing.
6. Minimal clothing is required.
Is there anything worse than having to put on layers in the wintertime only to sweat to death the minute you come back inside? No need for more than a tank top and shorts in the summertime.
7. Going to the beach daily isn't weird.
Now that it's hot, it's beach season. If you live near the ocean there is an excuse to drive there day or night, rain or shine. Staying there all day is an option for those who don't burn, and for those who do, you can always come back at night for a bonfire.
8. Cookouts.
Even when they lead to disaster, summertime cookouts are the best. Nothing completes a cookout more than watermelon and corn on the cob.
9. Night swimming.
Oh the thrill of jumping in freezing cold water in the middle of the night. Good thing the air becomes colder than the water, making the pool like a giant bathtub.
10. Spontaneous adventures.
Summertime gives you the freedom to wake up in the morning and decide to do something totally out of the blue that you've never done before. Hiking to a waterfall, rock climbing, going to a museum, or even road tripping are all great summer options.
Even if the heat isn't really your thing, it's undeniable to admit that life really is better in the summer. There's so much more free time, opportunity, excitement and sunshine. Only four months to go!
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