There’s So Much More To Femininity Than Aesthetics—Here’s What It Means To Be Truly Feminine

From nap dresses and bows to silky midi skirts and Mary Janes , it’s no secret that girly styles are having a moment. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the feminine aesthetic (trust us, we love it), but true femininity goes way beyond taffeta and tulle . The Complementary Nature of Men and Women I’ve often wondered why society pushes women to be just like men instead of encouraging us to embrace the attributes that set us apart. The “anything men can do, women can do better” point of view is simply false, so why do we keep trying? The #bossbabe mentality that has dominated the culture for far too long has led us to believe that the key to a happy life lies in exhibiting traditionally masculine traits: strength, assertiveness, independence, and courage, to name a few. But the truth is, men and women are inherently different – and that’s a good thing! The sexes were designed to be complementary, allowing our innate female attributes to mesh with the traits that come naturally to men. In other words, the world needs masculine strength and feminine softness, just like it needs rationality and intuition, action and patience, utility and beauty. Femininity and masculinity work together for the good of society. So, let’s learn to embrace our womanhood and let our feminine traits shine. Attributes of Femininity Intuition Ever had a moment when you just know something in your soul without knowing it in a logical sense? Maybe you’ve had an immediate, inexplicable reaction when being introduced to a person and something feels off, or you’ve been around a friend or coworker and feel in your soul that they need a word of encouragement. That’s your feminine intuition , and it’s one of the greatest, most mysterious traits we have as women. Sometimes regarded as our sixth sense, our female intuition often defies logic. But that little voice inside your head (which is, at times, more like a full-body instinct than a little voice) is a gift that can help guide you in your decision-making process. And, bonus: the more you trust your intuition, the stronger it gets. (Plus, did you know there’s a link between having a healthy gut and a strong intuition ? All the more reason to eat your probiotics .) Beauty Femininity brings beauty to the world. In a society that can seem bleak and lackluster, it’s typically women who embrace the beauty of life. All too often, we value utility over beauty, viewing the latter as frivolous and unnecessary. But the power of beauty should never be underestimated. In addition to brightening our days and evoking joy, outward beauty is inspiring; it has the power to draw out masculinity from our men and encourages beautification in all aspects of life. Cultivating Community Have you ever noticed that when the matriarch of a family passes on, it becomes harder for the family to remain cohesive? That’s because, as arguably the more social half of the human race, women are the glue of society. We care about what’s happening in the lives of the people we love and value the richness that comes from connecting with people and forming relationships. Humans thrive in community with one another, and it’s the role of women to cultivate those meaningful relationships. Patience If men are the accelerator in the vehicle of society, then women are the brakes. Having one without the other is useless and dangerous. Just like how the accelerator pedal moves a car forward, men are often in charge of driving change and taking action that moves society forward. That’s because men naturally tend to be more hurried and have more hustle in them. But in order to slow down and savor the richness of life’s moments (and so we don’t crash and burn), the world needs a brake pedal. That’s where feminine slowness and patience come into play. We need to tap the breaks – and sometimes come to a full stop – in order to appreciate all that life has to offer. Embracing patience and feminine slowness can lead to a less hurried state of mind and a more satisfying lifestyle. Softness, Gentleness, and Empathy Sometimes, our loved ones need a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear instead of a pep talk or a “buck up” attitude that men provide. Being a soft and gentle place to land for your husband, children, and friends is immensely valuable. It teaches those around us that it’s okay to have a bad day and that needing help is part of being a human. Feminine softness and gentleness cultivate grace – and we could all use a little more grace in our lives. The ability to empathize and relate to people is uniquely feminine as well. When men are presented with a problem, they want to take action to fix it. On the other hand, women typically want to discuss their feelings about the issue at hand. Both responses are valuable in their own ways. The feminine instinct to connect with others by sharing feelings can remind people that they’re not alone in their struggles, which can feel like a soothing salve for any weary heart. Nurturing The feminine inclination toward nurturing is usually associated with motherhood, but women can embrace their nurturing spirit even during their single or childless years. You can do this by caring for your friends, friends’ children, or your nieces and nephews. You can even cultivate your nurturing instincts by caring for strangers; helping a mother carry groceries to her car if you see she’s got her hands full or chatting with the woman at the coffee shop who seems lonely are both ways to give feminine, nurturing care to the people around you. In a world that outwardly rewards masculine traits, give yourself permission to embrace being a woman . Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs our feminine energy . Let your beauty, patience, softness, and kindness shine through, even if you’re not decked out in feminine silhouettes and pink silk. (But trust us, life is usually a lot more fun when you are.)