The wounded women within
We all age, grow and evolve- so why has wounding women become a sport?
In honour of the past International Women’s Day last week, I wanted to write a piece on how wounded us women can collectively feel within the world, as we evolve through life’s seasons. How society seemingly has us under the microscope, no matter who we are and how we muddle through all of it.
I recently found myself catching the highlights of the 2025 Oscars and lately the SAG Awards. I love the choice of outfits in all honesty and especially when Waterstones puts together their annual books to looks posts, matching someone with a bestseller or recent release based on the cover.
A clever marketing ploy on their part, but really I just enjoy how it showcases each actor/actresses’ individual style choice. This is about the only time I give to mainstream media, because we all know it can be negative and at times toxic.
However, this year I found what caught my attention was the amount of attention circulating around Millie Bobby Brown at the SAG Awards, sporting blonde hair and a stunning liquid peach gown. Comments quickly became destructive, nasty, cruel and completely unwarranted.
People were quick to criticize her for looking double her age, a grandma, scrutinizing her body. It seemed it was not just one article either, but a catalogue of journalists doing this. Dissecting her inch by inch, posing questions on the possibility of fillers and why she would not just admit to having a poor choice of hair colour. It enraged me and I found myself needing to stop myself from reading anymore.
The rhetoric around women ageing is disparaging
Historically, this has always been an issue, women are shamed for the choices they make. Young women feeling pressured to present themselves in such a way that is palatable, yet rarely are they celebrated for who they are. It is as though women are unable to own their femininity or womanhood in society, without being thrust into conversations on age and ageing.
The rhetoric around women and ageing is disparaging and it’s heartbreaking. So many women are not allowed to ‘just be. It hurts to still see the pressure to prevent ageing, as it remains littered everywhere
Womanhood is not meant to be static, it should be regarded like the seasons and each one holding a special place in time, that we can look back on, but also look ahead towards. Life was never about youth being an eternal spring, dismissing summer, autumn and winter. Each have a differing perspective, a vantage point and a voice that makes up this cycle of life.
Without it, where would wisdom, deliberation, discernment, maturity and self-regulation come from? Women offer something different at each stage. I read an article in Psychology Today that delves into the inner emotional conflict women experience and how we go about changing this damaging rhetoric.
‘It’s time for feminist women to begin reshaping the narrative around aging. And perhaps that work is an inside job. I sometimes wonder if many of us need to do some deep healing of our own self-image and self-worth before we begin trying to change our culture’s long-held stereotypes of women as they age.’ - Amber Wardell
Women navigate so much under immense scrutiny
Understandably, it’s coming from the view of womanhood over the age of 40 and whilst I am not there yet myself, I would say we can feel emotionally conflicted at any age. This can stem from as early as girlhood. I have memories of being told I looked ‘much better’ once I had my braces out and I traded my glasses for contact lenses.
The name ‘ugly duckling’ stuck with me from early primary school days. Truthfully, we might feel confident one day, but look in the mirror the next and feel less than. For mothers it could be the feelings associated with adjusting to a new body postpartum and sometimes even a temporary loss in identity. Women navigate so much, under immense scrutiny and pressure.
The creases, wrinkles and grey hairs are precious pieces to someone’s story, a lifetime of laughter, tears, tragedy, doubt, hope; empathy and sacrifice. Should that not be a source of inspiration? Why is society so intent on diminishing that? Erasing the layers that make up our womanhood. Our beautifully intricate bodies, that should be admired and cherished, not dissected or airbrushed.
We are never told to actually nurture our evolving self in the process
We spend so much time being told what our many responsibilities are by the world, and for women, the plate is overloaded already. Nurturing the many aspects that make up our lives, but fundamentally we are never told to actually nurture our evolving self in the process. To show kindness, love, grace and mercy towards ourselves.
Gentle femininity is how I like to define it. This kind of femininity is a strength and is often reflected in the Bible, where women are celebrated for their essence of self; at all ages and stages of life. Some of these can be found in Proverbs and below are some of my favorites:
‘Her value exceeds pearls, all you desire can’t compete with her.’- Proverbs 3:15
Though you may not see it, you are priceless
‘Her mouth is full of wisdom, kindly teaching is on her tongue.’- Proverbs 31:26
Though you may not feel it, you are full of wisdom and your kindness uplifts more people than you realise.
‘She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.’- Proverbs 31:25
You are strong and resilient. You are not alone and you have not lost any part of your identity to the world. As a woman of faith, I know that the future is not one to fear, despite the scare-mongering that goes on. I cast my doubts, struggle and restlessness towards the one who gives me strength when I feel weak, or not good enough.
I hope this brings some comfort to know that we are so much more than society’s shortcomings. As we go through different seasons and paths, we can encourage each other on the way.
We are all works of art, the more we sit and appreciate the textures, the brushstrokes and lines; the more content and whole we are. We scrape the surface, see the story and it’s unfolding. We learn to applaud that wise woman’s journey to self-discovery and enlightenment, knowing it was a tough road, with plenty of turbulence.
Leaving you with the encouragement and wisdom from Dame Judi Dench.
With Love Georgie x
Beautiful read as I lay sleepless at 3 am. I was hooked when I read your apt use of the word palatable…and I’m passionate about changing the culture of aging.
A beautiful reflection filled with so many important reminders <3 Thanks for sharing!