MY WOMANIFESTO: A DECLARATION OF SELF-DESCRIBED INDEPENDENCE

WO·MAN·I·FES·TO  
NOUN
 
\ˌWO-MA-NƏ-ˈFES-(ˌ)TŌ\

 A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, and views of its female author. It may include themes of empowerment, independence, self love, consciousness, affirmation, and individual acceptance; your positive beliefs about yourself. Created to give self-described definition in regards to the innate beauty inside of every woman. Yes, even you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been re-reading a favorite book (again) recently and I stumbled upon my personal "Womanifesto" that I wrote years and years (like, 6 years) ago. I was profoundly humbled by the power that it still held when I read it again today. This has happened before: I still believe everything I wrote. I still feel it with every fiber of my being. My self declaration is timeless and will not age. I just might have to hang it on a wall somewhere! If you're up to the challenge, you are welcome to write your own. May I share mine?

My Womanifesto
(because sometimes i need a reminder)

i am a GOOD girl.
i will NOT, however, behave myself.


i will screech, cry, cackle, roar, shake, storm, dance, clap, sing, swear, smile when i feel like it.
because i am alive.
i will toss all other standards and measuring tools aside.
because they are not mine.
i will be as B-I-G as the universe intended me to be.
bigBIGbig.

my right is to fuck it up... every now and then.
my right is to express my feelings. i don't care if you don't like them.
my right is to be wildly inappropriate.
my right is to wear a dress one day and dirty hair the next. they are both good.
my right is to be as educated and informed as i can.
my right is to be a fabulous lover, artist, girlfriend, feminist, daughter, advocate, seeker.
my right is to speak up when the point is moot.
my right is to be sexy and seduce myself.
my right is to give a shit.
my right is to not give away my inner stockpile of courage.
my right is to dip into my overflowing reserve of love and give it away.
my right is to be a lover AND a fighter.
my right is to apologize if i mean it.
my right is to blare music as loud as i can and singscream along
my right is to worship the female form and mind
my right is to support all of the cunt-lovin women in this fucked up world we live in.

im gonna wear war paint and weave these into a banner that i'll hold above my head while i RUN.

no longer will i hate my body.
i will love every inch of my sensitiveagitated skin, every tiny areola, every extra tummy roll, every chipped tooth, every part of my breasts that succumbs to gravity.

no longer will i resent the fact that i have the blessing to bleed. and when i do, i feel fully alive.
no longer will i deny myself forgiveness.
no longer will i hinge my life and emotions on anyone elses thoughtschoicesdecisions.
no longer will i take no for an answer. im a smart cookie goddamnit and i will make my own decisions thank you.
no longer will my sexuality be something that a person can partake from. from now on, it will be given by me, or not at all.

today is the first day of the rest of my life.
tomorrow too.

i am fierce and fantastical
gorgeous and talented

i am a woman,
a source of life,
of ebb and flow,
a body
a mind
a heart
brimming with possibilities

i am the best thing that's ever happened to me.
i am the best things that's ever happened to you.

if you can't recognize that, go waste someone elses time.

i am no girl and every girl in one depending on the second.
i am a prostitute, wifey, preachers daughter. teacher, riot grrrl, model, punk ass bitch. friend, trouble maker, goddess.
i own them all. they are all good.

i embrace my fire
i embrace my emotions
i embrace my insecurities
i embrace my passionate and vulnerable heart
i embrace my body
i embrace my craziest dreams
i embrace my madness
i embrace my energy
i embrace my beauty

and i will always smile,
but i will not behave.

(the fire is coming)

snaps whip.

------------------------------

P.S. Two years ago, I offered the interwebz a Womanifesto Challenge, where all were encouraged to write their own and link up. 32 did, and you can read them here. They are stunning to say the least.

No comments

Back to Top