And we run the world!
By Ellyn Bell and Estee Kahn and Barb Boschetto and Pernilla Lillarose and John Gray and YourTango Experts — Written on Apr 21, 2017
We are blessed to be surrounded by strong women these days.
Women who don't let anyone stop them from doing what is right, and who persist through their struggles.
But when the strong women we see in the media are powerhouses like Emma Watson, Elizabeth Warren and Malala Yousafzai, it's easy to forget how what strength means for the average woman.
Because, let's face it, most of us won't be on their level.
We need to remember how amazing we are, even in our everyday lives, and regain the confidence in ourselves so wee can see how truly strong we are.
In our latest Expert video, Senior VP of YourTango Experts, Melanie Gorman, asked a group of Experts what defines a "strong woman.
Our big-name Experts — including author Ellyn Roberts Bell, self-love mystic and mentor Pernilla Lillarose, relationships coach Barb Boschetto, and John Gray of Mars and Venus fame — all agreed that every woman has the makings of a strong woman.
She just needs to discover for herself that she is one.
Here are the traits that make a woman, any woman, strong and fierce. Yes, even you.
1. You are a survivor.
Survivors aren't just women who have endured physical or emotional abuse, sexual assault, child abuse or anything equally serious.
And strong women aren't only limited to cancer survivors and those who struggle and overcome any physical or mental illness.
These women certainly are strong.
But being a strong woman and a survivor also includes thriving when you have little support, or when pushing through a negative situation to rise to the top and make it out — not only alive, but better for it.
2. You are successful, in the ways that matter to you.
A strong woman is not afraid to take the risks needed in order to succeed.
Whether it's in her love life or her work life, she puts herself out there and is willing to make mistakes to get what she wants.
It doesn't matter if society thinks she's "made it" — she will define that for herself.
3. You may be physically strong, too.
Sometimes that means she has the physical strength to climb the stairs instead of the escalator, and sometimes that means she can lift more than most men. She may even bring home Olympic gold.
Physical strength is great, but it's measured differently for all women. And it's certainly not a necessity to being considered a strong woman.
Navigating the world in a wheelchair, or adapting to the changing physicality of a condition like MS is another way women may be physically strong, too.
4. You aren't afraid to be yourself.
It's not that strong women don't care about others. Quite the opposite, really!
It's just that she no longer cares if everyone will like her, when she is being true to who she is.
She realizes most people don't know who they are, so why should she let herself be bothered by what others think?
5. You keep an open mind and listen to others.
She might not care what people think about her, but a strong woman isn't afraid to hear an opinion that differs from hers.
6. You're willing to carve your own path.
A strong woman realizes she doesn't have to follow any path but the one she chooses for herself.
She is brave enough, strong enough and smart enough to know what is right — and what isn't right for her.
7. You strive to see the good.
A strong woman works on seeing the good in others, and tries to keep that in mind — even when she feels surrounded by the bad of the world.
And when something unpleasant comes up, she tries to find ways to fix it instead of giving up.
And while it might not be easy (is it ever?), she does her best.
8. Perhaps the most important thing is that you know who you are.
She won't let anything get in her way of getting what she wants or stopping the things she doesn't.
She knows what she likes, and what she doesn't like, and embraces her imperfect perfections.
Every woman has something different that makes them strong. Whether you're a corporate CEO, a stay-at-home mother, or a single girl finding her way in the world, the strength is inside you.
You are brilliant. You are strong.
And you just have to discover it for yourself.
If you need help finding or maintaining your true feminine balance, or if you're looking for support in finding happiness or solving relationships problems, please visit the websites of our Experts and contact Ellyn, Pernilla, Barb, or John, directly. They’re here to help.
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