Dear young and future feminists,

Image supplied by Christy. [Alt text: A black and white photo of a womxn smiling into the camera, in a spotted blouse, with balayaged brown-blonde hair falling past her shoulders.]

There is so much I wish I had known as a young person, so trying to narrow it down to a few is overwhelming, to say the least. 

In thinking about writing this letter, I narrowed down three main things I wish someone had told me as a young woman. 

Number one: you can be strong, loud, opinionated, passionate and emotional. You can be a leader. You can speak your mind. You do not have to make yourself small or promise yourself that ‘next time you will keep your mouth shut’

Number two: life is too short to hate your body. It keeps you alive. That alone makes it worthy of love and respect. Stop punishing your body with restricted eating and punishing exercises. You are perfect, beautiful, and your body is the least interesting thing about you. You do not owe the world, or anyone, pretty. Just do you. 

Number three: never stop questioning life. Keep asking why. Why is it this way? Who said it should be this way? Who does this benefit? This will keep you on the path of growth and learning. The world is so big, and often at times, and particularly this year, we can feel overwhelmed with the current affairs. You don’t need all the answers, but in being able to ask the whys you will have everything you need to slowly create, define, re-design, and live by your own values, beliefs and ideologies. 

Life is hard. Particularly for women, and non-binary people. You will cry, feel angry and, at times, even hopeless. Don’t lose sight of the gifts that come from the struggle. The friendships, the sisterhood, the fire in our bellies which motivate us to keep fighting. Don’t give up. Find your people. Be humble. Never stop challenging your privilege and elevating the voices of diverse and marginalised people. Be kind to yourself. You are great. We have got this, and together we will continue to see positive changes. 

I will leave you with his quote from Phyllis Chesler ‘Go gently into the day. Honour your idealism, resist cynicism. Keep your heart open to the world, try and make the world better. Don’t give up’.

Yours truly,

Christy