This Is Woman’s Work

1. Women are multifaceted beings with diverse archetypes

We are that large, larger even. This work is about my truth, not necessarily the truth. And I offer it as a means to help you find and navigate your truth.

Complexity of womanhood. Women embody a vast array of characteristics, experiences, and roles that cannot be confined to a single definition. This book explores various archetypes that represent different aspects of the female experience, including:

• The Shadow Woman
• The Willing Woman
• The Rebel Woman
• The Warrior Woman
• The Violated Woman
• The Wild Woman
• The Woman of Words

Personal journey of self-discovery. By examining these archetypes, women can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential. The author encourages readers to use these archetypes as a starting point for self-reflection and exploration, recognizing that each woman's truth is unique and valid.

2. The Shadow Woman: Embracing the hidden self

The shadow is where we first begin having this conversation with ourselves. Are we ready to be born? Have we outgrown this place, or is there more sustenance we need to glean in the dark before we step into our own becoming?

Exploring the unconscious. The Shadow Woman represents the hidden aspects of our personality that we may be reluctant to acknowledge or express. This archetype encourages women to:

• Confront their fears and insecurities
• Embrace their full potential, including the parts they may have suppressed
• Recognize the power and wisdom that can be gained from exploring their shadow self

Growth through introspection. By delving into the shadow, women can uncover valuable insights about themselves and their motivations. This process of self-discovery can lead to personal growth, increased self-awareness, and a more authentic way of living.

3. The Willing Woman: Finding power in service and submission

Can't it be argued that making the choice to show up in service and obeisance is a kind of power?

Redefining submission. The Willing Woman challenges conventional notions of power and submission, suggesting that there can be strength in choosing to serve or submit. This archetype invites women to:

• Recognize the power in conscious choice, even when that choice involves serving others
• Explore the potential for personal growth and fulfillment through service
• Question societal assumptions about power dynamics and individual agency

Balancing service and self-care. While the Willing Woman finds purpose in serving others, it's crucial to maintain a balance between self-sacrifice and self-care. This archetype encourages women to reflect on their motivations for service and ensure that their choices align with their authentic selves.

4. The Rebel Woman: Challenging norms and expectations

War again and again. The perpetual resistance movement. You say left, so I am inclined to consider right. You say stop, and plans to charge ahead are already organizing themselves in my brain.

Embracing dissent. The Rebel Woman embodies the spirit of resistance and challenges societal norms and expectations. This archetype empowers women to:

• Question authority and challenge the status quo
• Stand up for their beliefs and values, even in the face of opposition
• Push boundaries and explore new possibilities for themselves and society

Balancing rebellion and growth. While rebellion can be a powerful force for change, it's essential to ensure that one's rebellious nature is driven by authentic convictions rather than a reflexive need to oppose everything. The Rebel Woman encourages women to critically examine their motivations and channel their resistance into constructive actions.

5. The Warrior Woman: Cultivating inner strength and resilience

The Warrior Woman is the persistent kind. She is fiercely loyal—to her own ideals and to those who uphold those ideals, to her kindred. She is Spartanlike. Her strength has coordinates she has plotted carefully.

Developing inner strength. The Warrior Woman represents the cultivation of inner strength, resilience, and determination. This archetype encourages women to:

• Face challenges head-on and develop strategies to overcome them
• Build mental and emotional fortitude through self-discipline and perseverance
• Stand firm in their convictions and protect what they value

Strategic approach to life. The Warrior Woman is not just about brute strength; she embodies a strategic mindset. This archetype teaches women to approach life's battles with wisdom, carefully choosing which fights are worth engaging in and developing the skills necessary to succeed.

6. The Violated Woman: Reclaiming power after trauma

The Violated Woman does not have real access to her own healing. Her body holds the memory that is maiming her, and society insists on her stoic acceptance, her silence, her acquiescence.

Healing from trauma. The Violated Woman represents the experience of those who have suffered abuse, assault, or other forms of violation. This archetype addresses the challenges of:

• Confronting and processing traumatic experiences
• Overcoming societal expectations of silence and acceptance
• Reclaiming one's power and sense of self after violation

Empowerment through reclamation. While the experience of violation can be deeply traumatic, this archetype emphasizes the possibility of healing and empowerment. It encourages women to:

• Seek support and resources for healing
• Challenge societal narratives that blame or silence victims
• Reclaim their bodies and identities on their own terms

7. The Wild Woman: Embracing freedom and authenticity

The Wild Woman is going to commandeer her body the way she wants to, irrespective of tradition or thou shall nots. In fact, thou shall nots often make for a fair amount of hedonism.

Unleashing authenticity. The Wild Woman embodies the spirit of freedom, authenticity, and uninhibited self-expression. This archetype encourages women to:

• Embrace their true selves without fear of judgment
• Explore their desires and passions without shame
• Challenge societal expectations of how women should behave or express themselves

Balancing freedom and responsibility. While the Wild Woman celebrates freedom and self-expression, it's important to consider the impact of one's actions on others and oneself. This archetype invites women to find a balance between personal freedom and social responsibility, living authentically while also being mindful of their choices.

8. The Woman of Words: Harnessing the power of storytelling

The Woman of Words keeps the language as a way to keep us whole, as a way to hand us the music of our pulse and to remind us how old that music is.

Power of narrative. The Woman of Words represents the importance of storytelling and language in shaping our identities and communities. This archetype emphasizes:

• The role of storytelling in preserving culture and history
• The power of words to inspire, heal, and transform
• The importance of sharing our own stories and listening to others

Cultivating voice and memory. By embracing this archetype, women can:

• Develop their own unique voice and storytelling style
• Preserve and share important personal and cultural narratives
• Use language as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment

9. Archetypes as tools for self-discovery and empowerment

Remember, you are not who you were. There are things you know about yourself that you did not know then. Use them. Gather up your resources. Trust that they are many. Trust that you are safe. Write it that way. Write yourself safe. Write yourself whole.

Self-reflection and growth. The archetypes presented in this book serve as tools for self-discovery and personal growth. By exploring these various aspects of womanhood, readers can:

• Gain insight into their own personalities and experiences
• Identify areas for personal growth and development
• Embrace the multifaceted nature of their identities

Empowerment through understanding. By recognizing and exploring these archetypes within themselves, women can:

• Cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance
• Draw upon the strengths of different archetypes as needed in various life situations
• Embrace their complexity and resist societal pressures to conform to a single, narrow definition of womanhood

Last updated: July 26, 2024