The Lies Women Have Been Told (And Why I’m Done With Them)

For my entire life, I have been told that I have to earn my space. That once I did all the right things—once I was perfect enough, small enough, quiet enough, patient enough—then I would be worthy of success, happiness, love, leadership.

But you know what?

That’s all bullsh*t.

Women are handed a script before we’re even old enough to question it.

• Be nice.

• Don’t be too loud.

• Don’t want too much.

• Find a man, settle down, let him make you happy.

• Have kids, be grateful, don’t ask for more.

• Work hard, but not too hard—you don’t want to intimidate anyone.

• Be a leader, but not too ambitious—you don’t want to be unlikable.

And God forbid you step outside that script.

Because when you do? When you dare to want more—when you dare to take up space—the world suddenly has a problem.

The workplace tells us to “lean in,” but only if we play by their rules. Society tells us to be confident, but only if we’re also palatable. Dating tells us to be strong, independent women, but only if we don’t threaten a man’s ego.

Enough.

I am done waiting for permission to be who the hell I am. I am done shrinking myself so the world can stay comfortable. I am done apologizing for being a woman who takes up space.

And I know I’m not the only one.

Because here’s the truth: No one is coming to hand us the space we deserve. We either take it, or we stay small.

So What Does That Look Like?

• It looks like showing up in the room like you belong there—because you do.

• It looks like no longer questioning your worth, your intelligence, or your ambition.

• It looks like deciding that what YOU want—your dreams, your goals, your happiness—is not up for negotiation.

• It looks like refusing to chase people who do not see your value.

• It looks like walking the f*ck away from anything or anyone that makes you feel small.

It looks like choosing yourself. Every. Single. Day.

Because let me tell you something—you don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t need to be small to be loved. You don’t need to wait until you have everything figured out to step into your f*cking life.

You just need to own who you already are.

And if that makes people uncomfortable? Let them squirm.

Because you, my dear, were never meant to fit inside their tiny little box. You were meant to take up every damn inch of space you desire.

So go do it.

Every minute adds up. Every post. Every conversation. Every decision to show up as your full self.

This is how we break the cycle. This is how we lead. This is how we win.

Now let’s f*cking go.

Message me to chat more! @shelivessheleads