An ode to women.

So, all too frequently I have been finding myself speaking of the things that cause me pain. My anguish, laid out for all to see. It's time today perhaps to try something new. It's time to talk about the strong women who have inspired me over the years..

Some of my inspirations are rather obvious, others not so much. I understand none of the following women have moved mountains, they haven't completely flipped the system, but they're all fucking bad ass women, who live and breathe the definition of strength.

1) If you are a regular reader, you probably saw this coming.. Rupi Kaur
Never have another's words touched me so deeply. She opened my heart to poetry. Her way of taking something usually spoke of in hushed tones, behind closed doors and making it an art form. How she speaks so openly of masturbation, rape, the taboo of menstruation is awe inspiring. She can take something usually construed as no more than dirty secrets, things to be shared only with lovers and turn them into art. She is unapologetic, humble, and pays respect to those around her. I love the way she isn't afraid to challenge the norm. Sure, calling out Instagram's bullshit isn't quite Rosa Parks but she fucking stood up for what she believed in. She would not allow her voice to be censored out. She is a beautiful soul and we should all take a leaf out of her book once in a while. (literally)

2) Not so obvious, Kate Nash.
She is a fucking Goddess. Foundations may have kick-started her mainstream career but by no means has she been a one trick pony. Not only does she sing about the things we fucking know and feel, she cares. In 2010 she launched the 'Rock n Roll for Girls After-School Music Club' in a bid to inspire young women to get song writing and producing their own music, after learning about the shortage of female artists in the UK. Shes thrown herself into growing other artists over the years, not just accepting her success and living off the riches, she recycled some of her earnings into other young people, showing such a level of compassion that many would never understand. Kate has regularly spoke out about the mistreatment of Pussy Riot and encouraged fans to join the cause. Not being satisfied with simply smashing the music scene, Nash took to our TV's in Glow, and made me fall further in love than ever before! I'll round up my little girl crush rambling with possibly my favourite ever Nash quote..
 '... I am liberated by many things ... a world where I can be free sexually, I can wear revealing clothing if I want to, I can buy condoms, go on the pill, get the coil, talk about sex, write about it if I wish.' Do I need to elaborate?

3) It's odd to use someone who died from a heroin OD as an inspiration, but our deaths do not summarise our lives completely. Janis Joplin. 
Joplin surrounded herself by the outcasts, the misunderstood. She got them, she saw a beauty in the flaws of humanity. She had a depth in her that is rarely found. She was a rebel, a poet, a traveller and an escapist. Her voice carried a thousand tales of woe. It opened a portal to an ethereal state of being. Truthfully, in her living years she was never fully respected, living under the bus. Upon her passing, the world saw what it lost, and the mourning was evidence to the life she had lived, the souls she had moved. She carried herself with such gravelly grace, her mere being was a juxtaposition. Janis was advised to leave her music, her soul, behind and to conform. She didn't, and thank fuck for that. She went on to do Woodstock, Madison Gardens, and to win the hearts of the world. Her and Hendrix may have arguably begun the tragic '27 club' being victims of their own demons, but she saw beauty, and gave it back to the world.   

4) Few may know the name, but trust me, it belongs to a fucking diamond. Joanne Swift
Jo is a humble lady, a lady who gives love freely. Who supports all around her. She has never had much, and she's never quibbled about that. She simply keeps pushing forward. When her husband's health started deteriorating she simply worked harder to provide a healthy, loving environment for her family. She became the rock we all needed. When her home set ablaze, her few belongings mere ash, her husband had passed, her two children solely dependant on her, she didn't crumble. She didn't break, (or at least never infront of us.) She didn't turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, she only worked harder to get back on her feet. She turned the other cheek and forgave the universe. My mum has always raised us with love and honesty. She's invested her life in her children, she has taken on more children along the way, loving us all equally. The amount of times I've broken my mums heart is uncountable, the amount of times she's helped me back on my feet is beyond numerical figure. She's a talented creative, a patient wife, a benevolent mother, and grandmother, she's the colleague that spends her day off making cakes for the charity sale, or will notice you have cold hands and fetch in hand warmers for the entire team, the friend who always has the kettle on and the time for a chat, the daughter who will never forget the love she was given and will never leave you behind. Quite simply, I've never met another soul as pure as hers.

All the afore mentioned women have qualities I can only dream of. Hopefully with a lil' time I can start to become as steadfast and self assured as them..

Until then, just accept my shit jokes and comical faces and accept yourselves.
As always, Soph. X