Top 15+ things women can stop feeling guilty about

Even though a lot of progress has been made to improve gender equality in society, there's no denying that expectations for women are still different. There are fewer women in positions of power, so the ones who make it to the top must then act as representatives for their gender and prove that they deserve their spot—not a single mistake or a hair out of place. This pressure filters down into the daily life of the average woman.

After centuries of oppression there is finally space for women in the world, but it doesn't come without complications. We are still struggling to break from outdated mindsets and fight systemic sexism. This list contains things which no one should feel guilty about, but which women seem to worry about disproportionately. Click through the gallery and heave a sigh of relief!

Canceling plans

We tend to over-commit ourselves because saying no is difficult. Sometimes there’s no reason to decline an invitation other than a preference for having more alone time, but it often doesn't seem worth prioritizing ourselves this way. 

What you eat

We’re constantly bombarded with information about the latest diets and food trends. Add that to outdated ideals of femininity and not wanting to be seen as gluttonous, and you’ve got yourself a complex.

Each person is different and needs different types and amounts of food to nourish themselves. Eat what brings you joy and makes you feel good, no shame!

Not lending people your things

You don’t always need to lend your favorite dress or book to a friend. Those of us who have been burned before know the risks involved!

What you enjoy

You can still be a feminist and enjoy rom-coms and reality TV! Just because you’re an intelligent modern woman doesn’t mean you only watch documentaries and listen to NPR during your down time.

Wearing makeup

Women are expected to look perfect all the time. In the past that meant salon-styled hair, perfect makeup, and incredibly restrictive dresses and undergarments. Then there came a change, men started saying they preferred natural women who don’t wear makeup, yet the standard of beauty didn’t really change.

Doing nothing

A woman’s work is never done, or so the saying goes. Nowadays there’s more of an emphasis on "living your best life," which, if Instagram is to be believed, means yoga at sunrise, expensive vacations, and a myriad of social occasions.

What you do for work

We all need to survive. We can’t always get a job that we feel passionate about or that represents our values and beliefs.

Feeling uncomfortable

As a woman it’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable in the world. There are often situations where you get a bad gut feeling, but sometimes it feels rude to act on it.

Other people's moods

When someone around you is in a bad mood, do you tend to think it’s because of you? Do you feel compelled to try to fix it for them? Do you apologize when someone bumps into you?

Repeating outfits

What a ridiculous pressure to carry. Most people cannot afford to avoid outfit repeating! There is no shame in wearing the same dress to two weddings in a row, or wearing the same shirt and trouser combo to the office at least once a week.

Expressing your emotions

There’s always a fear of seeming crazy or needy when you’re feeling emotional. For some reason, men are considered "passionate" and women are considered "hysterical" when they express strong emotions.

Not wanting to date someone

Sometimes you meet the nicest person but you just have no chemistry with them. Life isn’t always like a rom-com, maybe you’re just not right for each other!

Not responding to messages straight away

It’s not a crime to step away from your phone for a while, although sometimes it can feel like it. The pressure to stay constantly connected and give instant responses is overwhelming.

Stepping back from a relationship

Sometimes a relationship can sour or develop an unhealthy dynamic. If you start to feel like the relationship has become a weight and is no longer valuable, take some time to reflect and walk away if you need to.

Not wanting to have children

This is a tricky topic. More and more women are choosing not to have children because we’ve finally been given the option not to! Finding a partner and having a family can be a beautiful life, but it’s not the only way to live.

Those who choose not to follow this path are often criticized for being selfish, or it’s assumed that there’s something wrong with them. Each person has the right to decide what they want to contribute to the world. If that's not another human being, that's okay!