Worthwhile observation! Feminine joy! As a Mom of 4 sons, I can give witness to the fact that sparkling joy is missing without at least 2 females in the room.
This cultural celebration of femininity and girlhood is genuinely so exciting. I think the Women’s World Cup HYPE has contributed to this too. I’ve never seen so many people from all genders so excited and proud to be a part of women’s sport 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
This piece deeply resonated with me. I went to three love on tour shows myself, and I’ve been trying to explain to people why the feeling of communal joy that was all around me, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or felt before. Bel captured it perfectly.
This is beautiful Bel!! My friends and I dressed up as Shadowhunters to see the Mortal Instruments movie back in 2013 and it was so fun, someone even asked for a picture with us!! But over the years since that fear of judgement and criticism slipped in, and only now am I starting to feel confident enough to dress up if I feel like it or just exhibit joy in public, all because other people are leading the way.
I have loved being a woman all of my 73 years. I’ve often hated how others have treated women but always thought being a woman is a wonderful gift. When I was young I loved to sometimes dress in “ fairy tale” dresses; my hair piled high in auburn curls. I was a priestess, goddess, or whatever beautiful thing I chose to be.
It was a heady time.
As a woman, I will know fear, grief, poverty, exploitation but will survive.
Now my hair is grey and I am sure I’m a goddess.I know I can see forever and love without conditions. I hold my child and grandson close and see hope in their existence.
Going through a very painful time at the moment and this reminded me to look down at the plain gold bangle on my wrist on which is inscribed the tiny but impactful word: JOY
Such a beauty piece Bel! Reminded me of the other day when my 10 year old was asking me about when I went to parties when I was a teenager. I told her looking back, the best part of parties was really the day after when me and my mates woke up late, went for a swim, and ate $10 of hot chips while laughing at ourselves/each other so much that we got the stitch. 20 years on, getting all together is harder but when it happens I still almost pop a rib from laughing and feel so much like my truest self with my gal pals 🥰
I love the romanticisation of girlhood atm. like obviously its not perfect and somethings shouldnt be romanticised but as a girl in her early 20s seeing this wave of women supporting women and just bringing and experiencing joy, im so thankful im alive for it.
22 y/o college grad here -- i have not stopped thinking about this beautiful article, bel. this resonated with me on such a level i didn't even know was possible. i went to love on tour in 2021, eras tour just a few weeks ago, and i have a pile of friendship bracelets scattered in front of my harry styles prayer candle. in just a couple weeks, i'm seeing aly & aj and attending a taylor swift dance party. still racking my brain over how you perfectly captured this current celebration of love and joy. i'm an aspiring screenwriter / producer and i feel like i'm just trying to keep my shit together. it's comforting to know that so many other people are experiencing the same thing. thank you for sharing this with the world.
Holy. Shit. I am so thankful that you girls are the ones trailblazing for my daughter. Truly. Thank you ❤️
Ok this has me tearing up 💗
This was so very moving, but the very last section really sent me - the best tonic for pain is joy..... I hope i never forget that.
Worthwhile observation! Feminine joy! As a Mom of 4 sons, I can give witness to the fact that sparkling joy is missing without at least 2 females in the room.
This cultural celebration of femininity and girlhood is genuinely so exciting. I think the Women’s World Cup HYPE has contributed to this too. I’ve never seen so many people from all genders so excited and proud to be a part of women’s sport 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
This piece deeply resonated with me. I went to three love on tour shows myself, and I’ve been trying to explain to people why the feeling of communal joy that was all around me, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or felt before. Bel captured it perfectly.
Ugh, my heart! Love that you’re feeling this too 🌸
Love this! I see this in my nieces - they're able to be who they are and there are no apologies, and it's the best! ❤️
Yes!!! What a Sunday morning wake up call. Thanks babes. Grabbing me handfuls of unabashed, unfiltered JOY!!
This is beautiful Bel!! My friends and I dressed up as Shadowhunters to see the Mortal Instruments movie back in 2013 and it was so fun, someone even asked for a picture with us!! But over the years since that fear of judgement and criticism slipped in, and only now am I starting to feel confident enough to dress up if I feel like it or just exhibit joy in public, all because other people are leading the way.
I have loved being a woman all of my 73 years. I’ve often hated how others have treated women but always thought being a woman is a wonderful gift. When I was young I loved to sometimes dress in “ fairy tale” dresses; my hair piled high in auburn curls. I was a priestess, goddess, or whatever beautiful thing I chose to be.
It was a heady time.
As a woman, I will know fear, grief, poverty, exploitation but will survive.
Now my hair is grey and I am sure I’m a goddess.I know I can see forever and love without conditions. I hold my child and grandson close and see hope in their existence.
Going through a very painful time at the moment and this reminded me to look down at the plain gold bangle on my wrist on which is inscribed the tiny but impactful word: JOY
Thanks for educating me about the Swift Quake - had no idea; I always learn from your posts :)
Such a beauty piece Bel! Reminded me of the other day when my 10 year old was asking me about when I went to parties when I was a teenager. I told her looking back, the best part of parties was really the day after when me and my mates woke up late, went for a swim, and ate $10 of hot chips while laughing at ourselves/each other so much that we got the stitch. 20 years on, getting all together is harder but when it happens I still almost pop a rib from laughing and feel so much like my truest self with my gal pals 🥰
I love the romanticisation of girlhood atm. like obviously its not perfect and somethings shouldnt be romanticised but as a girl in her early 20s seeing this wave of women supporting women and just bringing and experiencing joy, im so thankful im alive for it.
22 y/o college grad here -- i have not stopped thinking about this beautiful article, bel. this resonated with me on such a level i didn't even know was possible. i went to love on tour in 2021, eras tour just a few weeks ago, and i have a pile of friendship bracelets scattered in front of my harry styles prayer candle. in just a couple weeks, i'm seeing aly & aj and attending a taylor swift dance party. still racking my brain over how you perfectly captured this current celebration of love and joy. i'm an aspiring screenwriter / producer and i feel like i'm just trying to keep my shit together. it's comforting to know that so many other people are experiencing the same thing. thank you for sharing this with the world.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ellegriffin/p/barbieland-as-a-feminist-utopia?r=4lkd4&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I feel like you’ll enjoy this