HEYYY ALLL
I am very excited to share my thoughts and writing with you, and I am very grateful
to be given this opportunity.
Disclaimer: This will be about women’s empowerment. But hey, if you’re a man, you can stay! Just take notes, you might learn something. But seriously, if you stay, you better not mansplain this back to us later, okay?
Hope you enjoy and learn something new girlies;)
Hey! I’m Rasha Dernaika and if we haven’t crossed paths before, then it’s high time
we did! I am currently balancing life at Canadian University Dubai in the UAE and I
am originally from Lebanon. Oh and by the way, did I tell you I'm almost 20? Yeah,
just at that age where everything gets more confusing but none of that matters yet.
Amazing right?
Now, let me brag a bit. I’ve already been a guest on the fabulous podcast "SIP with
Jana" Shout out to my bestie, Jana! I love her to bits, and we had such a blast on the
podcast. If you haven’t listened to it yet, what are you even doing with your life? Go
check it out after reading this, of course.
The topic for today, please???
Okay okay, I've been talking a lot, let’s roll our sleeves up and get into something
important but often neglected: women’s mental health and self-esteem. We are also
going to talk about the traumatic experiences we had when we were young that
stick to us forever like gum sticks on a shoe. So, childhood trauma – the one-sided
love in our lives
The Great World of Women’s Mental Health
For us ladies here, can we all agree that life sometimes feels like a roller coaster?
One moment it seems like you are on top of the world and in the next you are
doubting if your socks match. Mental health plays a huge role in this ride,
particularly for women. Trying to balance careers, families, and social lives and not
forgetting to get at least eight hours of beauty sleep; therefore no wonder our
mental health might suffer.
Self-Esteem: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Now let’s discuss self-esteem! It’s like muscles—if you don’t use them they will
become weak. Sadly enough, women live in a society where they are constantly
exposed to impractical expectations. Like having flawless skin, perfect body shape,
or being able to cook a five-course meal while wearing high heels! What an empty
dream!
The Unwanted Shadow of Childhood Trauma
This, though, is the icing on a cake: childhood trauma. Picture that uninvited ghost
in a party. It could be that you didn’t get enough love and care as a child or went
through some pretty tough times. Either way, it has this habit of sticking around
and whispering sweet words of self-doubt and anxiety into your ear as you grow
older. Beautiful isn't it? lol
Overcoming Childhood Trauma
Alright babes, now let’s talk about overcoming this unwanted shadow. The first
thing to do is to admit that there was childhood trauma. It may seem like admitting
that what happened in your past still affects your present is easy when it’s not. Also,
therapy can come through for you here. A therapist will help you understand these
events better so that you can develop ways of dealing with them healthily.
Then we have self-compassion. Just be nice to yourself. Accept that your feelings
and reactions are valid. Keeping company with people who support and remind you
of your worth would help too. Journaling also serves as an efficient vehicle to
articulate one’s thoughts and feelings which makes them more comprehensible to
oneself.
Picking the Right Partner
Well now, it is time for a change to focus more on relationships. Ladies, choosing
the right man to share your life with is very important. It is like deciding between a
pair of shoes that you need in your wardrobe. You didn’t plan on wearing high heels
during a hike right? Likewise, you require a person who will stand by you, accept
you, and even develop you into a better individual. However, there are cases where
women are involved in abusive relationships. It is just like having to walk around
having those shoes that cause blisters – uncomfortable and harmful.
The Chokehold of Toxicity
But, you may ask: why do some females remain in such marriages? Welllllll It’s not
that easy. At times it can be the fear of being alone, at other times low self-esteem,
and at still other times they think they can change their partner. Spoiler alert: It is
impossible to reform someone who has no intention of changing within himself.
Being in a toxic relationship can be compared to feeding your self-esteem to a
shredding machine. You deserve better girlll.
How to Escape a Bad Relationship
Ending an abusive relationship may not be pleasant, but it is necessary to change
your life for the better. First, make sure that you accept that you are worthy of
happiness and that it is your right to be respected and valued as a person. Next,
form a support network; this can include friends, family members, or a therapist to
guide you throughout the procedure. Think ahead clearly ensuring that you have a
safe destination to run to and all that you may require. Just remember, no one is
perfect and it is perfectly acceptable to ask for assistance. Your safety and your
psychological state are of utmost importance bestie !!
Let’s Get Real
But hey, enough with the doom and gloom. Let’s be serious about how one could
approach this. First off, therapy. Honestly, it’s like having a secret pass to navigate
through life’s challenges with ease. Whether that be confiding in a doctor or simply
venting to your friends (Noora, Salma, Mai, Tala, and of course the twins Joudi and
Haya) I love you guys! Always remember some people will stay by your side and it is
important for them to know how much they mean to you.
Then there’s self-care. I’m not referring to pampering oneself with bubble baths and
face masks, although it’s quite good to do so sometimes, who doesn't like
rainbow-colored bath bombs right? but I mean actual self-care, whether it is
setting healthy boundaries, declining a task if one is overwhelmed, etc. Because
guess what? You’re worth it! And never forget your best friends in any case, as they
are the ones who will stick with you in any situation.
Wrapping It Up
Well babes, that just about sums it up. A vulgar, but ridiculous guide to female
psychology, self-esteem issues, the constant threat of childhood trauma, and the
need to select a proper husband. Ladies, never forget that you are wonderful the
way you are. If anyone tries to convince you otherwise all you have to do is smile
knowing they are probably wearing a mismatched pair of socks.
Thanks for reading and, as always, make sure to catch “SIP” ...the place where all
the good kids go. Have a great day and until next time gurl, stay fabulous.