Dealing with misogyny day in and day out can be exhausting. Many women feel like they have to walk a fine line at work, at home, in school, and other settings in order to appear likable and meet other people’s expectations. On top of all of this, women are still subjected to harassment and discrimination in domestic and professional environments.
Maybe you’ve faced misogyny from your boss, a professor at school, your partner, friends, or family members. Perhaps you’ve been harassed on the street, or you’ve been targeted online. No matter the form it takes, there’s no doubt that misogyny can take a massive toll on your mental health. But you do not have to resign yourself to unhealthy relationships or environments where sexism goes unchecked.
Here’s how to set boundaries in your life, release internalized misogyny, and invest in relationships that are mutually supported.
Evaluate Your Relationships
If your friends have repeatedly made sexist comments or treated you poorly because of your gender, it may be time to let go of these friendships. While people have the capacity to change, you do not have to accept misogyny within your friendships. You can work on building new friendships with people who do not subscribe to those beliefs.
It can be trickier to deal with misogyny in family relationships. You might need to establish limits around discussing certain topics or spend less time with certain family members. If your family members have been abusive, or made excuses for abuse that you faced, you can seek support from a therapist to advise you on how to limit or cut contact in extreme circumstances.
Navigating the Workplace
Coping with misogyny in the workplace can be difficult. It’s not always easy to simply “get another job.” Seek out mentorship and guidance from other women in your field. They can provide you with valuable advice on overcoming sexism at work.
If you’ve realized that your job is not a safe place for you, it never hurts to polish up your resume, let people in your network know that you’re looking for a new role, and research companies to see which organizations might be a better fit for you.
Media Exposure
Misogyny often crops up in the media. It’s not hard to find TV shows, movies, books, songs, and articles that promote sexist viewpoints. While you might not be able to avoid misogynistic media entirely, you do not have to go out of your way to consume it. This can be an opportunity to switch up your media diet and discover new interests.
Practicing Self-Acceptance
Internalized misogyny can detract from your self-worth. You might find yourself questioning if you’re really capable of achieving your goals, if you deserve to be treated poorly, or if you have the right to advocate for yourself.
Practicing self-acceptance and spending your time on activities that make you feel fulfilled and capable can help counter internalized misogyny.
Remember, You Have the Right to Walk Away
When someone says or does something sexist, you don’t need to stick around. Sometimes, the only way to handle a situation like this involves walking away.
Society often makes women feel as though they have to take on everyone else’s emotions, and that upholding any boundaries at all is “mean” or unfair. But you have the right to be kind to yourself above anything else. Leaving a situation or conversation where you’re being treated unfairly is perfectly valid.
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Are you struggling to cope with misogyny in your daily life? A therapist can equip you with realistic strategies. Get in touch with us to learn more about booking your first women’s counseling session.