I put this collection of inspirational quotes by famous women together for my teenage girls, but they’re for all women who need strength when it has been one of those days.
As a mother, I second guess myself every day.
It comes with the territory.
But my biggest fear?
Is that I have failed my daughters.
Raising a well-mannered little lady was once a fabulous endeavor – back in the day.
But here’s the thing:
Knowing Emily Post’s Etiquette book like the back of your hand won’t prepare or protect you from a perverted politician, CEO, or other “nasty character.”
Being polite has its advantages, but not if it means sacrificing your sense of self-worth.
Not if it translates into second-guessing defending yourself when a man gropes you for the sake of being proper or out of fear of losing your social status or even your job.
We need our girls to know that having good manners means the consideration of others based on mutual respect.
The moment that regard is breached, all bets are off.
I want my daughters to know how to express themselves.
They need to know how to say No.
And stand up for what they believe.
So, I put together this collection of inspirational quotes from the most fearlessly famous women I admire.
See, I’m afraid terrified that I’ve raised my girls to be sweet before savvy.
Here’s my official apology – just in case.
Girls,
I know there are days when you feel like you don’t measure up; behind your smile and confidence, there’s a girl who second-guesses every move.
I know you evaluate yourself by your perceived imperfections and mistakes instead of successes.
You try to please everyone before yourself because that’s what you think good girls do.
The truth is, you doubt your decisions because you are looking at your life through someone else’s eyes.
Worrying about what other people will think about what you say or do about:
How you look.
What you wear.
What you have and what you don’t.
How much you weigh
The size of your jeans
Or the size of your social media following
Here’s the thing, I know this stuff seems important right now, but in the long run, all of these issues are meaningless trivialities that are holding you back.
It took me years to learn these lessons, and, at the ripe age of 44, I am finally mastering the subtle art of not giving a damn.
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Take theirs.
Here are the most badass inspirational quotes by famous women to keep you going when you’re in doubt or having one of those days.
“The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.” -Mohadesa Najumi (writer, advocate, overall badass)
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” – Judy Garland (American actress)
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be fine if they don’t.” -Christina Grimmie (author)
“I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind learning.” -Amy Poehler (accomplished actress, author, founder of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls)
“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” – Catherine Cook (co-founded myYearbook at age 15)
“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand (novelist, philosopher)
“Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg (Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, author, founder of Lean In)
“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” – Beyonce
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady of The United States, civil rights advocate, political activist)
“I know for sure that what we dwell on is what we become.” – Oprah Winfrey (talk show host, media executive, actress, billionaire philanthropist)
“Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” – Elizabeth Gilbert (American author)
“There is special place in hell for women who do not help other women.” -Madeleine Albright (first female United States Secretary of State, diplomat)
“Surround yourself with people smarter than you.” – Maggie Wilderotter
“It’s not your job to like me; it’s mine.” – Byron Katie (author, The Work)
“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
“If you don’t like being a doormat, then get off the floor.” – Al-Anon
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker (American novelist, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer)
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Dr. Maya Angelou (American poet, singer, civil rights activist)
Please take these inspirational quotes and print them, pin them – LIVE THEM!
Be brave, be bold, and most importantly – BE YOURSELF.