i thought being a tomboy would keep me safe…

It's fascinating how many of us, especially growing up, grapple with our identities in response to the world around us. For a long time, I remember feeling that being a tomboy would keep me safe. There was this unspoken belief that if I embraced a more masculine presentation, if I was tough and shied away from femininity, I could somehow dodge the uncomfortable gaze of misogyny. It felt like a shield, a way to navigate a world that often felt hostile towards girls and women who dared to be 'too' feminine. The notion of a 'tomboy rule' isn't an official decree, but it's often an internalized set of guidelines. It's about rejecting certain expectations, perhaps feeling more at home in loose clothing than dresses, finding solace in traditionally masculine hobbies, or just feeling a kinship with the phrase, 'I am a tomboy.' But beneath that identity, there's often a complex tapestry of emotions and experiences. We encounter various tomboy stereotypes, from being seen as 'one of the guys' to facing judgment for not conforming to gender norms. My journey, much like the one explored in meaningful poems about misogyny, involved a deep dive into these complexities. I started to question if shying away from femininity was truly empowering, or if it was just another form of societal conditioning. Was I genuinely expressing myself, or was I reacting to a fear of vulnerability? This exploration led me to understand the profound impact that misogyny can have on our early self-perception, sometimes making us believe that our authentic, feminine selves are somehow less valuable or more exposed to harm. This is where the power of expression, like crafting tomboy verse, really comes into play. Writing became a safe space for me to untangle these feelings. It allowed me to revisit my past with a compassionate eye, engaging in a form of inner child healing. To articulate the confusion, the defiance, and ultimately, the liberation that comes from understanding that safety isn't found in hiding parts of ourselves, but in embracing our full, authentic selves. It's about acknowledging that true strength comes from within, not from adhering to or rejecting external labels. Through this process, I realized that while being a tomboy was an important part of my identity for many years, the ultimate goal was not just to avoid harm, but to live authentically. To find my voice and to share stories that resonated with others who might have felt similar pressures. The beauty of exploring these themes in poetry is that it offers a raw, honest perspective on what it means to grow up, navigate identity, and push back against the subtle and overt forms of misogyny that shape our lives. It's a journey of self-acceptance, finding strength in our unique experiences, and ultimately, healing.