photo #6068873

Actual days of girlhood - being sexualized by old men on the street when you’re still a kid - being scared to walk around alone at night - getting your period for the first time, the excitement and also anxiety of realizing you are now a woman - standing up on your period, praying that you aren’t leaking and your pants aren’t dirty so all the boys in class don’t make fun of you - having to hide period products so nobody knows why you’re going to the bathroom - realizing you have facial hair and leg hair you have to get rid of ad infinitum - realizing how much beauty matters and chances are you’re just average - dealing with boys who are just trying to get in your pants - dealing with your friends talking bad about you behind your back Girlhood isn’t this silly stereotype of rainbows and butterflies, it isn’t a caricature you can put on. Girlhood is one of the hardest times in a woman’s life. It’s the path to womanhood, it’s learning about who we are, where we fit in and what are our strengths and weaknesses. The only way to womanhood is through girlhood and the only way to girlhood is to be born female. Woman isn’t a costume you can just put on. It’s a lifelong path, it’s a lifelong journey, it’s a divine gift not a mental illness.