Before I became a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an engineer, before I took on any of these roles, I was, and still am, a woman. That’s not just a biological fact. It’s the foundation of everything I am. It’s the lens through which I experience the world, the reason I fight a little harder, prove myself a little more, and carry the weight of expectations I never signed up for.
I exist in a world that often tries to define me by my relationships to others. “You’re such a good sister.” “You’re a great mom.” “You’re a strong woman in STEM.” And while all of that is true, I can’t help but wonder, would I still be enough if I was just… me?
I juggle logistics, deadlines, and quality control at work. I coordinate, nurture, and problem-solve at home. I am expected to do it all, effortlessly, as if I were built for multitasking on expert mode. I’ve mastered the art of switching from technical reports to bedtime stories, from factory floors to family dinners, from professional to personal, sometimes in the span of minutes.
And while I wear all these hats with pride, I refuse to let them overshadow the person underneath.
For the longest time, I thought my worth was in what I did for others. In how well I performed my roles. In how little I complained about the load. But I’ve realized that before I was anything to anyone, I was already someone. And that someone deserves to exist beyond her obligations.
I want to sit in silence without the expectation to fill it.
I want to take up space without feeling the need to justify it.
I want to be celebrated for who I am, not just what I do.
Because at the end of the day, when the titles fade and the responsibilities pause, I am still here. Just me. And that should be enough.
On this International Women’s Day, with the theme of accelerating action, let’s start by acknowledging women in their entirety, not just as mothers, daughters, or professionals, but as full, complex individuals.
Let’s push for systems that don’t just accommodate women but empower them. Let’s create workplaces where balance isn’t a luxury. Let’s build homes where women aren’t default caretakers. Let’s allow women the freedom to exist beyond expectations.
Because before I am anything else, I am a woman. And that is enough.
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