Dear Strong and Beautiful Women,
On this Women’s Day, I want to ask you something gently and honestly: Do you ever feel embarrassed or afraid of being judged when you ask for something, no matter how big or small?
Maybe you want to eat something specific, go somewhere new, pursue a dream, or make a life choice. Yet you hesitate. You soften your words. You say, “It’s okay, whatever you want.” You hide your desire behind someone else’s preference.
Why do we do that?
Let me share a story.
Some time ago, I was invited to a mandir (temple). When I arrived, a young woman warmly welcomed me and proudly showed me around. She explained the significance of the temple and how the puja (prayer ritual) is performed. With deep faith, she said, “Everyone’s wishes come true here.”
As we spoke, she shared that she was married and had two beautiful children. In her family, everyone wanted a son. She told me, “Ma’am, if you pray here, all your wishes will come true. My mother-in-law brought me here so I could pray for a boy. You know how families want a son.”
Then she smiled brightly and said, “I prayed here, and I was blessed with a son.” She looked proud and happy as she spoke about the temple. I gently asked her, “Did you want a boy?” She didn’t answer directly. Instead, she repeated that her mother-in-law wanted one. So I asked again, softly but clearly, “But did you want a boy?” She paused. She thought for a moment. Then she said slowly, “Yes… I wanted it too.” I smiled and said, “Then say it like this: I wanted a boy, so I came here to pray.” She looked at me, smiled even wider, and repeated, “Yes, I wanted a boy, and my wish came true.”
In that moment, something shifted in her. It was not about having a boy or a girl. It was about saying I.
And that is what this Women’s Day is about.
There is nothing wrong with wanting something, whether it is a son, a daughter, a career, peace, love, sex, or space. The problem is not the desire. The problem is our hesitation to say it.
So often, we hide behind someone else:
“My husband wanted it.”
“My family decided.”
“They asked me to.”
We use the third person because it feels safer. It protects us from judgment. It gives us a shield. But here is the truth: whether you say it or not, people may still judge you. They may misunderstand you. They may criticize you. So why not stand in your truth?
Why not say:
“I chose this.”
“I want this.”
“I believe in this.”
Yes, owning your desires can feel risky. Someone may get upset. Someone may disagree. You may lose approval. You may even feel alone for a while. But losing yourself is far more painful than losing approval.
There is a confident, clear, powerful woman within you. She already knows what she wants. She has always known. She has just been waiting for permission perhaps from society, family, or even from you.
This Women’s Day, give her that permission.
Pause and ask yourself:
What do I want?
Not what is expected.
Not what sounds good.
Not what keeps everyone comfortable.
What do I truly want?
Then own it.
Speak it.
Live it.
Without shame.
Without apology.
Without fear.
Because empowerment does not always begin with loud speeches or big achievements. Sometimes, it begins quietly with one brave “I.”