45 years old…..

Soooooo, I have always fancied myself the black sheep of my fam. My mom always gets mad when I refer to myself as such, but what she doesn’t understand is that I don’t know any different because as I look back I have usually been a step outside of the “norm”, at least in my soul I have been. I don’t think being the black sheep is a bad thing, it’s just who I have always been and I’m finally cool with that, plus, I am pretty hilarious so I end up laughing at my oddities. It is well with my soul (finally).

I decided to purge today as it has taken 45 years for me to learn that there is an International Women’s Day. In the same breathe, I’m not shocked by myself, as stated before, I’m usually on the outside of these things. I would never consider myself a “feminist”, yet I believe in the empowerment of women. I have always believed and practiced in women building women up specifically, as we are by far our own worst critics and don’t even get me started on what nonsense society has added as burdens on top of that!

Through the evolution in my career path, I have been introduced to a vast new network of people. I was invited to join one of these people at a Women’s Brunch in celebration of International Women’s Day, a few weeks back. When I agreed to attend, I didn’t even pay attention to what I was attending, I just said yes because I love the gal who invited me, and I’m always up for meeting new people and networking. Well, this morning came around and I saw something posted on how today is International Women’s Day and it suddenly clicked, Women’s brunch to celebrate Women’s day, riiiiighht. (I know, I should probably be more ashamed at my lack of critical thinking).

I had my better half iron a fun, spring skirt (side note- how is that for a women’s day move?!? He is waaaay better at ironing than me for the record) and I left to attend the brunch. I walked into a group of about 50 women, knowing only my new friend. We sat at a table that ended up having 6 other women soon join. We circled around the table with introductions and each gave a quick CV about ourselves. I was sitting amongst a diverse group of women. A very popular local photographer, a trader on wall street, a lawyer, the owner of a popular business run by Veterans, and a social media influencer for a local developer. It was fascinating to watch the dynamics at our table. The conversations really had absolutely nothing to do with empowering women or really anything to do with women other than what on the outside looks more like fulfilling the stereotypes of women. I listened to conversations about Louis Vuitton perfume, where they bought their bags, the “gram” influencers that should be followed, and lots of conversations about cookies (I know, it was random but much appreciated). Let’s be very clear, I am sooooo down with talking about cookies and I am all in when it comes to girl talk about lash extensions and I even have the ability to weigh in on fashion talk. I guess this is where my black sheep side starts creeping in. I also love talking on a much deeper level about the reason we were supposed to have come together for this brunch to begin with. Maybe I am just getting older or maybe I have become too literal, but I find myself less and less attracted to joining big movements like this. I am hands down in complete support of recognizing women in society as we do men, I believe in empowerment across the board no matter the gender. I am a social creature to a visceral level and thus will always have the need of belonging to some degree. I have lived in the Louis Vuitton world, and now he sits scrunched up in my closet somewhere. I have dipped my toes into the social media world, I absolutely stink at IG, and you definitely need informed consent before you friend me on facebook. So, this is me. Baaaaaa.

In all seriousness, since there is a day that the world has chosen to focus on recognizing women then I raise my metaphorical glass to the sky and say “Slainte”! Here’s to all the incredible, beautiful, intelligent and perfectly imperfect women in the world. May we always remember to choose to raise each other up no matter what the speaking topic may be. We already know better, so let’s just do better, together.

“Be who you are, not who the world wants you to be”- Coco Chanel

so much love and respect. xo

-e