I see you: thoughts for International Women’s Day

We’ve all seen the headlines about how the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women.

Nearly half of women globally experienced financial stress due to COVID-19 pandemic

Lost jobs, less pay, no childcare: A year into the pandemic, women are not OK

Women Leaving Workforce In Canada As Men Add Jobs: RBC Study

As women, we don’t need to read the headlines. We live them.

This International Women’s Day I want you to know that...

I SEE YOU

I see you carrying the emotional loads of those around you.

I see you as teacher, and I see you as nurse.

I see the lonely women and the women who just wants to be alone.

I see you suffering from abuse, traumatized and scared, unsure of if or how to leave.

I see you broken by the pressure with no end in sight.

I see you when your heart breaks for your children, now fighting eating disorders, educational setbacks, and mental health emergencies from the pandemic.

I see you caring for parents and grandparents when you have nothing left to give anyone else.

I see you struggling to work while doing all the things.

I see you mom who has chosen to stay home in a vital yet still unappreciated role.

I see you single mom with no relief for the help you desperately need and deserve.

I see you manager, director and CEO, carrying great burdon for your staff and others counting on you.

I see you front line worker, exhausted, and frustrated by broken rules and people.

I see you crying alone at night, wondering how you will stay strong.

I see you anxious and scared.

I see you when you constantly make difficult decisions for yourself and your household about who can see whom and when, potentially breaking up families and friendships.

I see you when you fight the deadly virus ravaging your system or that of someone you love.

I see you facing milestones alone: the birth of a baby, the death of a loved one, a wedding with no guests...

I see you when a trip to the grocery store is your weekly “self care”.

I see you when you struggle to carry what you have.

I see you when even more weight is added to that load.

The burden is HEAVY, the burden is LONELY, the burden is GREAT.

But the burden will NOT break you.

I want to remind you that:

YOU are seen

YOU are STRONG

YOU can cry

YOU can say no

YOU are beautiful

YOU are loved

YOU are worthy

YOU don’t need to apologize

YOU are NOT alone.

YOU WILL make it to the finish line.

On this International Women’s Day may you see hope in the finish line. May you lean into what can get you there: listening to music, prayer/meditation, taking things day by day, whatever works for you.

It is hard because it IS hard. Good enough is enough and seek professional help if you need it.

“Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be, how much you can love, what you can accomplish, and what your potential is.”

- Ann Frank

Share in the comments what is helping you get through the pandemic.

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