What makes you a badass woman? (+ Product giveaway!)
I love Mr. T, Joan Jett, Charlie’s Angels, muscle cars, Linda Hamilton in ” Terminator 2″, Metallica and Roller Derby.
And what do all these things have in common?
They are all badass. At least to me.
And I’ve been thinking about that term lately, mostly because I use it a lot. It’s a regular part of my vocabulary. I call my friends badass, my kids and myself. So, I’ve been wondering what it really means. I consulted the expert (Google) and this is what I got:
From UrbanDictionary.com:
The epitome of the American Woman. She radiates confidence in everything she does, whether it’s ordering a drink, buying a set of wheels, or dealing with men. She’s slow to anger, brutally efficient when fighting back.
The badass carves her own path. She wears, drives, drinks, watches, and listens to what she chooses, when she chooses, where she chooses, uninfluenced by fads or advertising campaigns. Badass style is understated but instantly recognizable. Like a chopped Harley or a good pair of sunglasses: simple, direct, and functional.
Hmmm.
So, it got me thinking. I assume when people hear the word, “Badass Woman” they think of a tattooed, gun toting, foul mouthed, tequila shooting, sweaty woman ready to pick a fight with any man, woman or child that looks at her sideways.
But, I disagree. (Not that I have anything against the woman I just described, which sounds a lot like my mom).
I also love my friend Stephanie St. Claire’s definition:
A bad ass broad is MADE, not born. She’s a sinner with the heart of a saint. She’s been trespassed against, and she’s done some trespassing of her own. But at some point (at 22, 42, or 62) she drew a line in the sand, stopped the drama, and took back the wheel.
To me, badass is a state of mind. There is no certain look to it. A badass woman makes no apologies for her confidence, successes and unique personality. She knows and celebrates that she is a one-of-a-kind lady. While she still gets nervous to take risks, she does them anyway. She continually grabs life by the balls.
I know many badass women. And many of them have no idea. They hide their light as if they are afraid to show it. Perhaps they are afraid of what people might think or say. Perhaps they are afraid they’ll be rejected if they step away from the box they’ve been molding themselves to live in. In a way I’ve developed a sixth sense for sniffing it out.
Is this you?
That used to be me. And one day I finally threw my hands up and said, “Who gives a shit if people don’t like the real me?” And every year I continue to step into my own inner badass, get to know her, love her and my life loves me back tenfold.
If you’re that girl that’s hiding, I invite you to embrace your own unique badassness.
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman? What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature? What do you LOVE about being your badass self?
**Christmas contest has ended for the ebook and workbook OR 30-Day E-Course of “Kick Your Gremlin’s Ass: Manage your Inner-Critic to Live Your Kick-Ass Life”. Congratulations to the winners: Devin, Kim, M and Kristi! Thank you to ALL who participated. You are ALL BADASS!!!**
I need to let go my desire to.please and nurture everyone in order to embrace my bad ass nature. I am learning that being selfish and taking care of myself doesn’t mean that I don’t care about people, it just means that I value my existence more. In 2012 I will invoke the power to be more selfish and say No and mean it.
Selfish sounds so negative….I prefer self-caring or self-loving, because that is what you are doing.
I think being a badass woman is about accepting your flaws and not berating yourself for them. I think I have a ways to go until I get there. I also think it is about not judging others because of your own insecurity. I have experienced being around a lot of judgmental women. Shouldn’t we be celebrating our own badass-ness? I also need to let go of judging others to become my inner badass and embrace it! Great post, I like the definitions and examples you gave!
I’m a badass woman because I will not settle for less from myself or the world. I am going back to school to realize my dream even though I’m working two jobs to pay for it. I’m badass because I try to give more than I recieve and realize that time with my family is the most important thing, even when we aren’t doing anything. Although I need to learn the word “no” so don’t get sucked into too many commitments and wear myself out. If I can learn to take care of me it will help me take care of my family.
(ps thanks for being so kickass)
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman?
Simply stated… stay true to me. Don’t follow, lead.
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature?
I need to be surrounded by my pack. My friends. my people.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self?
I love that I say what I want, and its out of love.
A badass woman is full of grace and vinegar. She does a grand jeté through life. A badass woman lives to the fullest every day. This may mean giving birth one day and sky diving the next. She does not let anyone do wrong to her and and always learns from her mistakes. She is her own woman and is not affected by negative energy. To realize my full badass potential I must learn to trust my instincts. I was born with kick ass intuition and I must tap into this. I am smart, strong and awesome and I need to remember this at all times!!! I can do anything!!!! I love being myself-I am badass because I do not need to follow trends or compromise my morals to impress anyone. I can be sexy in my jeans and sweaters because my sexiness comes from my amazing mind and spirit.
I need to let go of a lot of things before I could begin to feel badass. The most important ine is that I put others before me and I can’t say NO. I feel so taken advantage of and it is wearing me down. I just want to live my life for me and my son. It’s hard to change because I have tried. I want control over me!!
I have a love/hate relationship going on with my badass self. I love the confidence I feel when I know I’m in badass mode…you know that sense of “I can do it on my own and I don’t need anyone to hold my hand” however I get lost in that “hardness” at times and lose my softer side. The side that cuddles with my daughter at night when she wakes up from a nightmare, the side that can truly say to the man in my life “I love you” and not feel like I’m giving my power away. I don’t know how to be both and that’s my sturggle. For me, I believe living a kick ass life would be embracing the beauty of both my sides and not feeling I need to compromise one for the other.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all your comments so far! This is the best Christmas present for ME!
am a badass woman. I am a hero; I saved my own life. I’ve come from not having any hope left to live, to embracing every second of my life. I climb moutains (rock climbing walls), pick myself up when I trip, and spread love, hope and joy to youth and women around the world. I take care of my body and nurture myself despite the influences surrounding me from society, and my body thanks me in return. I LAUGH a LOT. it’s badass to laugh as much as I do. What I love about being my badass self is how much I appreciate nature and the little BIG things in the world, how much adventure I experience each day, and how I can use my VOICE! Being badass means kicking my eating disorders ass and never looking back!
This morning, before I left for work I checked my email from my mobile. I received an email from a colleague that was very critical; however, full of truth. My first reaction was to fire off a snarky reply. My gut told me to set it down and count to 10 (ten times)! On the way to work I had an epiphany. Accept the criticism for what it’s worth. If I didn’t like the sting of the slap then I need to kick my ass into gear and recognize and take ownership of my failures. Rather than wallow in self-pity, I am going to professionally acknowledge my colleague and SHOW (not tell) her that I’m about to start kicking ass and taking names (figuratively). Thanks for providing the opportunity to tell the Universe “Watch out! Here I come!”
Being a badass woman means blazing your own way without caring what other people think. That doesn’t mean being rude or mean just for sport, you can be bad ass and still be compassionate. She just doesn’t let other people dictate her fate. To be that woman I need to let go of lingering concerns over what others think. When my badass woman comes out I love how in my body I feel and the power of that sensation.
Letting go of perfectionism gets me closer to my inner badass! Badasses are allowed (encouraged?) to make mistakes, learn from them (or not!), and move on.
I am a badass woman. I have overcome a methamphetamine addiction of 15 years. In my journey to my new life I learned to live life with joy and massive silliness. I’m never afraid to show my love and emotions. People tell me that I am the most caring person they know. I care without judging anyone. Probably because I judged myself so harshly. I have learned to run in the last 5 years and ladt year at 51 I ran 2 marathons and did 2 triathalon’s. I have 3 amazing grown children who are so grounded and real and that is because I gave them the gift of self confidence that I didnt have then. But baby I sure have it now. I laugh, I love, and I always am smiling and singing. Can’t wait for the next 30 years
I have made myself not a badass woman
…It will take long to undo it.
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman? To me this means knowing who I am. Not being so wishy washy that I can’t even decide what to order when I’m out to eat with friends. Not that this is me but I’m just saying there are those who can’t even make these simple decision so how will they manage real life. I now that I like my eggs scrambled and my steak med-rare!
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature? I need to let go of over extending myself. I’m caught up in a web of Bright Shiny Object syndrome and I’m working my way out.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self? I LOVE my honesty and RADIANT personality.
What makes me a badass woman. When I hear that question, the first thing that comes to mind is my ablitiy to fight for what I want. I am an independant, single mom, a small business owner, and a “jane of all trades”. So in my life especially if the is some thing that I want or need to get done, I find a way to get it. I have been told that I very responsible, hard workings, and very helpful. I feel that the last one is what always gets in my way. It is not that being helpful is a wrong thing, but when it is hard to say “no” it causes trouble. If I could get over the “no”I belive my true badass woman would shine.
To be badass I need to let go of the worry of letting anyone else down and focus on empowering myself. If I can do that then I can empower my kids and truly be one badass mom. I need to not only accept who I am, that I have control, but to let myself shine out and take and use that control.
I am all that is bad ass because I am here. I face my flaws and strengths with equal joy. I love passionately and I argue fiercely for what I think is right. I also believe compassion is one of the most important traits for anyone to have and I endeavor to be compassionate towards all I meet, including myself.
Loving all these comments! I am badass because I don’t let others dictate who I am. I laugh a lot, I am my own best friend and cheerleader, and I am good to others while putting me in first place. I have a magnet on my fridge that says “When life’s road gets bumpy, real chicks know how to bounce” and that also reminds me to be badass and never tolerate toxins in my life. I do my best to not judge others and to always be true to myself.
I am a badass because I exist!! I can’t tell you how much have have learned about myself in the past few months. I am stronger than I thought I was and I am not afraid of anything anymore. I do not let anyone or thing control me….because I am a badass
So looking forward to 2012 to see how much more I can grow as a person, wife, mother, and friend. Life is freaking amazing and so are all the people in my life…I am on luck gal! Oh…wait a minute…we make our own luck because we are badass!! Thanks Andrea! xoxo
What helps make me a Bad-ASS?I never give up….ever!
I listen to my gut and follow it.If something feels right I go for it,despite what people might think or my nasty gremlins opinion.I face my fears.When I fall and I do,I dust myself off and get back up.What makes me Bad-Ass are all the changes I have made in the past year.Very BAD-ASS!
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman? Following your dreams. Living outloud. Fully becoming who you already are! I am a badass woman because I am a single woman, living in an RV full time and traveling the US with my business. I am badass because i have managed to make it work for more than 10 years. I am badass because I face the challenges that it brings and learn new things every single day.
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature? Judgement. I was raised in a hostile environment – abusive and condescending. It made the “judge” in me very strong. Because I am prone to judging others, I live in constant fear that others are judging me. This badass girl steps out of the RV (where she feels entirely BADASS) and into the world, and then cowers with fear over what others are thinking. It has made me a people-pleaser and that is exhausting and unfulfilling.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self? I am a rare animal. I live an unconventional lifestyle. I am completely in love with my job. I bring joy to others. I am generous. I love my laugh. And, I am willing to face the “badass-less” parts of myself and work to change them to be “badassier”. Thanks for your help with that.
Wishing you all a badass day!
I do not feel like I am a badass woman. I would love to win. I need to let go of fear of what others think.
For me, after reading this, being a bad ass women would mean letting go of the fear of what other
will think of me and letting my true self come out. Dress in my own style,
do things I’m passionate about. Doing things that are out of my comfort
zone, knowing it’s ok if I fail or they don’t go as well as I had hoped. Being able to stand up for what I think without getting angry, and being okay with others disapproval or resistance.
I’ve learnt to embrace my badass side of myself. It means doing me and filtering out others opinions which are based on their reality not mine. So this year I have skydived, run (not walked) a 5k, run a 5 mile trail run, adopted a child as a single person, vacationed in Utah alone, and the list goes on. Embracing my strength and my dreams..
I say what I mean, and I mean what I say. I Get Stuff Done, and I do it well. And I don’t let anyone tell me “You can’t!”
When I decided to claim my awesomeness and stop putting myself down [and allowing others to do the same] I started to really shine – allowing myself to being the badass woman that I am was the best gift I ever gave to myself! I’m still occasionally caught off-guard by guilt routines in my head, but I’m learning every day to turn those messages off, and that’s pretty damn badass, too. I CAN care and love and nurture without being driven by guilt, and that fills me with JOY!
I love how I feel when I tell the world that I am awesome, I am badass and kickass – and people pay attention!
I don’t take any shit from anyone and why should I? I am a badass woman, confident, secure, honest and without pretense. The world is full of people that allow themselves to be pushed around and used, that’s not me! I know where I am going and how to get there because, I have hooked my spirit to the stars and the stars like me are shining and glowing with their own identity. I don’t need the world to tell me I am a star I already know I am!
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman?
It means accepting who you are, embracing yourself, then constantly challenging yourself to grow as you see fit. Not berating yourself to be someone better, but chasing down the positives you’d like to see in yourself.
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature?
I needed, and still on occasion need to let to of that negative inner voice. The one that says I’m weak (because I am not), that I am ugly (because I’m pretty), that I’m fat (that one is really stupid and is the hardest to silence) or that I don’t deserve what I desire (if I work for it, I deserve it). I also need to sound back to those that would not see me succeed, try to talk me out of my dreams, or tell me I’ll never do it.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self?
I kickass at my job – I really do. I challenge myself to improve, be a better listener and not have to get credit for every accomplishment that I have (which are alot!). I firmly believe that sometimes – less IS more. I also recently started a new whoopie pie baking business with a friend we’ve been working on the weekends. It is so fun and challenging to have something of our own – that our hard work pays off to OURSELVES! I have learned to keep it simple in the chaos. I surround myself with other kick ass women, and don’t submit to the negative people in my life (for the most part! you can pick your friends but not your family, right?). I just started school again this past fall after a 20 year hiatus – that is so kick ass – and I Ace’d both my classes. Yes – school, with work, my own business, training for a few halfs and a full marathon, all the while with both of my kids fully supporting me. They think I am kick ass — always sharing my whoopies with their friends, showing off my rack of medals and telling their friends what a cool, fun, yet demanding mother I am. I have my children’s respect and that’s is SO badass. Three years ago I did not feel this way. I was in the midst of a divorce and for the first time in my life I really thought I was going to die of heartbreak… I was ignored and had to believe in myself the entire time that I would come out of this in a better place. That it was better to be alone and lonely than married and lonely – and I have finally realized that belief. I overcame the darkest point in my life so far – that makes me pretty darn badass too.
Oh – and I do have 6 tattoos and drive a total bitch-getter Charger, if that helps complete the picture.
I found my inner Badass years ago, and subsequently lost her due to relationships, career, motherhood . . . LIFE! But reading this post reminded me that she’s still in there – I just have to let her out of her cage. I love, love, love this definition.
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman?
Being a badass woman means that no matter what life throws at me, I KEEP GOING. It means that instead of cowering, hiding behind addiction(s), and letting everyone around me dictate my actions and feelings, I now face my fears and walk my own path.
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature?
I need to let go of self-criticism and expecting myself to be perfect. I need to get beyond the point of correcting myself when I call myself ugly things, and not call myself those ugly things to begin with.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self?
I love being able to always see the bright side… even it if takes a little while. I love being able to call my teenage son out on his BS with love and humor. I love acting like a total spaz and not caring what anyone thinks about it. I love laughing, loud and hard and often. I love looking at life and saying, “Bring it.”
That was fun! Thank you.
Being a “badass woman” is composed of many things…. First, of all I believe you come into being a badass over time and years of experience. You keep going, when things are difficult. You hold your head high and are proud of yourself and your accomplishments! You’re not afraid to speak up and speak your mind- even if your view differs from the majority. You are your own person and are happy being just who you are.
Thank you!
At almost 60(although I only feel 45-hehe) and being single and on my own for several years (very independent) and doing most everything for myself-I think this qualifies for being badassed!!! The one thing that I need to let go of is: not saying NO enough (I don’t think I am alone in this-why is that?) What I love about my badassed self is that I am confident enough to overcome any obstacles that I am confronted with. I don’t judge others as we all have made mistakes and beat ourselves up for it (so why would we put that on anyone?). Thanks Andrea, for all the badass advice that you give all of us so that we can become as kickass as you are!!!
I’m a badass woman because I’ve fallen and I keep getting up!
Passion. Purpose. Pleasure. – and pursing/embracing these with ferocity.
Let go… my need to please and be liked… oofta. Not looking for perfection in these, but progression. When I do, I am come ALIVE! Thanks for reminding me to embrace my bad ass self!
A badass woman takes risks and is no afraid of failing. Well, of course she’s afraid of failing, everyone is, but badass part comes with the act of fearlessness and not allowing failure into the scenario.
This week I found a new place to live after being unhappy in a relationship I was both emotionally and financially dependent on for two years. I suddenly feel a strange calm … and knowing that I CAN have the life I want and it’s in my power to create it rather then wait for someone to provide it.
Badass is being BOLD.. and badass is acting with FEARLESSNESS.
Hey Maya- I’ve felt that calmness too when I was in a similar situation. it was such a knowing peacefulness. Even though it was small, I grabbed on and never looked back
Hope you do the same. xo
I am Bad-Ass because I never give up…Ever.I embrace my scars and mistakes.I face my fears and when I fall I get back up.I take responsibility for my life and know I am in charge of how I feel.Being a Bad-Ass for me is staying true to my self,my values and my goals.I do not listen to my gremlin voice as often as I have in the past.My journey for growth and self love have helped me become a Bad-Ass.
Being a badass woman is a constant state of mind. It’s about knowing who you are always and being willing to take any risk to be you, whatever that looks like! For me it’s been about wearing short skirts to church, swearing in front of “professionals”, and not responding when being called a lady. Just my way of holding onto my inner higher self with fierce passion, and refusing to let anyone or anything get in my way. My badass ways have changed around some over the years but these gave me the courage to continue to step into ME. My favorite motto? “Life is too short to be boring.”
In order to fully step into my true badass nature, I need to really stop worrying so much about what people think of me. I have gotten better but I still don’t feel like I allow myself to be my true self around anyone, really. Andrea, you have the best name EVER!
I need to learn to realize that I truely am as good a leader as people tell me and to learn to accept compliments without denigrating both myself and the giver of those compliments when I deny what they say to me. I have succeeded in a business that is still very gold old boy run and I let myself know what I bad ass I am for the ability to do that.
To me, being badass means throwing perfectionism and social pressures out the window and aiming straight for what brings me happiness and fulfillment. It means pushing through my fears and ignoring those who question what I’m doing or suggest I can’t do it.
Being a badass woman is about facing the fears and insecurities that I kept hidden for such a significant part of my life. Knowing that I don’t have to pretend that I always have everything together and under control, but sharing my challenges and successes with others so that we might grow and learn together. That we embrace mutual and balanced relationships where we promote and encourage positive messages about ourselves and and make consistent progress towards personal goals.
I LOVE being a badass. My top badass qualities are:
1. I am the epitome of the ANTI-supermom.
2. I never go anywhere w/o my mommy thermos and I love it (it goes to the park, the theater, the children’s museum, choir practice, etc… the sky is really the limit here people). And it can take on many forms such as wine, vodka, rum balls, beer… the list goes on!
3. I had enough balls to pack up life in the US and live over in Southeast Asia for 6 months WITH kids.
4. I have regular techno/hip hop dance parties with myself and my kids.
5. I like to think of myself as part Cameron Diaz (smiley, silly, happy, carefree) and part Angelina Jolie (sultry, mysterious, powerful, charitable). I especially identify with her roll in Mrs. Smith. Hubby better watch himself.
6. I’m sexy and I know it!
7. I also really really really love helping people create better lives for themselves
8. I believe that I have *Oprah* potential… although it may take me a while to achieve it because of my three little humans. Ok so Oprah may be pushing it… a close second will do
BAM!
In case you’re curious of our SE Asia adventures (www.teamjessee.com)… would highly recommend doing something like this to up the badass in you!
Right now, I’m a badass because when I get treated badly, it PISSES ME OFF. It’s NOT ok that some jackass in a suit thinks he can decide what I get to be when I grow up. It’s NOT OK for a grubby couple of mooches to sue my family after a minor car accident. It’s NOT OK for anyone to rain on my freaking parade!
I’m a badass because when I’m treated badly, I carve my own professional path. I lawyer up. I load my freaking parade up with fireworks and brass bands and I stomp up the middle of your piddlyass town whether it’s raining or not.
I’m a badass because when I get mad, I get busy.
I think being a badass woman is being true to yourself and not being scared of or holding back your power, in the presence of any man, woman, friend, foe, family member, stranger etc. It is about understanding what you believe in, what you’re passionate about, what your truth is, and getting what you need. It’s about not tip-toeing around or sugar-coating life. It’s about being REAL – no matter if it’s what you were told or feel you should be. Stop shoulding all over yourself! In order to be badass, you have to be confident in yourself 100%, be willing to make mistakes and laugh them off, not take yourself or life so seriously and go with the flow.
I am not trying to enter the contest, I just want to say loving the comments. I also like how those questions are making people look at the postive in themselves and ways to release the negative. I can see you all are gonna kick ass in 2012
The thing that made me reflect on my own inner drama to fit in and be part of the crowd was a quote I remember from a cheesy chick flick that I can’t remember but the quote is this…”Why are you always tring to fit in when you were born to stand out.” With that as my mantra, I try to dare myself into living a full and colorful life.
Here is why I am a badass:As a young woman, I was a survivor of violent crime. I was physically dragged to a remote shed by two men, one with a weapon, and I fought my way out of it.
But that is not what makes me a badass.
For years, I dealt with fear of everything. And then, one day, I decided enough was enough. I started taking martial arts class, and women’s self defense classes. I started re-making my life in so very many ways. I started finding ways to empower myself, and give myself a sense of power in this world. And then… I passed it on. I help teach women’s self defense classes now. I spend time teaching women’s empowerment, and helping others to be safer in this world. It is my passion. I am proof that one can transform themselves from a victim, to a victor.
My wife of 27 years is a bad-ass. She puts up with my crap, brings home most of the “bacon” and usually fries it up in a pan. She is my role model as a parent, as a person of hard work and character. She loves me and my children for who we are and whose we are (God’s), not because of what we do or don’t do. I am so proud of my kick-ass, bad-ass wife!
Greg
Being a badass means being true to myself and my core values of love, kindness and connection. It means trusting my intuition and not apologizing for it or making excuses about it. It means stepping into my true self and guiding others through the same process. Badass means finally being ME!
What does it mean to be a Badass woman?
To me it means knowing what you want, how to get there and accomplishing your goal. She is confident in herself and her abilities. She tries to be the best person she can be and doesnt beat herself up about being anything more. She’s kind but able to set boundaries with other people. She’s sweet but has a saucy side too. She likes herself and is comfortable in any situation. Whether its jeans in the park or a little black dress at a social function. She knows she’s unique and a treasure. She thinks positive and forgives herself of mistakes in the past and pushes forward bringing something positive with her. She calls it the way she sees it and doesnt feel bad about it. She doesnt allow her mind to care if someone does or doesnt like her. She’s herself and she loves who she is!
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true Badass nature?
I need to let go of past mistakes and failures. I need to let go of being a people pleaser and start thinking about me! Im not getting any younger (53) Its time to be happy!
What do you love about being your badass self?
Im not all the way there yet but Im working on it. I love the way I sometimes feel about being self confident. Just tell me I cant do something, cause Ill prove you wrong. LOL. I love being self sufficient and not having to depend on others. Its a great feeling. Just need to pull the rest of it together.
What does it mean to YOU to be a badass woman?
It means rolling with the punches. It means laughing through tears. It means grabbing life by the balls and squeezing until it screams for you to let go! Then you let go and just LIVE. You stop worrying about being perfect and just BE your badass self.
What do you need to let go of to fully step into your true badass nature?
I have to let go of the past and fully know that the past does not DEFINE me, it has just shaped me into the badass that I am.
What do you LOVE about being your badass self?
I love that I can laugh or tell the raunchiest joke. I love that I can jump on my Harley and ride 100mph down the highway. I love that I can bake the best cookies you’ve ever tasted. I love that I can hold my daughter in my arms while she cries over a broken heart. I love that my daughter can hold me in her arms while I cry over a broken heart. I love that my badass life is a study in contrast and I can enjoy my badass feminine side, my badass manly side, my badass working life, my badass playing life….that I can mix it all up in a bowl and eat it by GIANT spoonsful!
Being badass means the ability to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and successfully use them to accomplish your goals from feeding your kids to feeding the homeless. Knowing when to be a lady and when to pull out your big guns….being comfortable dressing up or throwing on jeans and still looking incredible. Im not quite badass …I’m still in the apprentice stage…but some day….some day….
I’m badass because I’m a survivor! Every decision in my life has brought me to where I am today. A place where peace resides in my soul, with the sweet knowledge that truth sometimes requires bending the rules.
At the end of the day as I reflect on my actions I am only accountable to myself. What makes me badass is that I’m not afraid to kick my own ass every once in a while if I deserve it or kiss it for that matter
To me, a badass woman is a woman who understands that you can’t please everyone all the time, no matter how much of a good girl you are. She’s a woman who is less concerned with other people’s opinions, and more concerned with her own. She understands that you can’t help others if you’re hating yourself. She gets that you can’t live on external validation, that it’s meaningless and transient and in the end all that matters is an ability to look in the mirror and be proud of the woman staring back at you.
She has principles. Maybe they’re religious, maybe they’re not, but they’re highly personal and individual to her life and her morality. And when she draws that line in the sand, no one is getting her to cross it. She knows what’s right and what’s wrong, and she’s the sort of woman who will not sit silently by when a wrong is committed in front of her. In that sense, she’s the sort of daughter mother’s despair over, while secretly being thrilled their baby girl is an asskicker when she needs to be.
Being a badass is embracing every aspect of you, the good and the bad, rather than putting on a mask and pretending you’re perfect. It’s knowing that sometimes you thrive, and sometimes you survive, and being perfect and pretending everything is great all of the time will only give you wrinkles and a headache.
A badass woman does her hair however she wants to, even though she’s been told a thousand times that grownups shouldn’t have ‘crazy coloured’ hair. In fact, some days she gets a little giggle out of the reaction of those around her.
Most importantly, though? A badass woman can be scary if she needs to be, but she’s happiest using her intelligence, not violence, to solve a bad situation.
I’m badass because I am NOW ready to finally let go of all my fears and insecurities that I’ve let limit me for far too long! I’m ready to search my soul and LIVE my life!! My BBF (best badass friend) suggested your course to me, and I’ve decided it’s time to be selfish (in the best way possible of course) and do this for myself as well!! Look out 2012…ready or not…Badass never felt so good!!
This is a great exercise to help us remember our good qualities. I know I am a badass woman because I have always followed my dreams rather than what other thought I should do. I was a wildlife biologist for 17 years. I have studies birds and bats, trapped fox, and relocated bighorn sheep. It was a kickass career. Then I embraced motherhood at the age of 38. Everything changed. I no longer wanted to travel and have odd hours. I have spent the last two years trying to redesign my life to fit how I want to be as a mother. It is scary and hard. So hard in fact that I had a nervous breakdown last year. But I pulled myself up from that abyss and got back on the path to change. I am especially badass because I am scared to death, but I won’t stop trying to achieve my dream life. I am now taking a certificate course to be a holistic health coach to achieve my new dreams and change my career. I WILL have a kick-ass life again. Also, I have been told at the gym before that I resemble Linda Hamilton. That was badass!
What makes me a badass? Wow, I never answered that about myself before.
What makes me a badass is I left an abusive marriage with nothing but my 3 littles so they could learn to someday be mini badasses.
What makes me a badass is when the bio father of my littles and his wife were each founded on 3 counts of abuse and he walked away, I stayed by their side, teaching them that sometimes the hardest things in life are the biggest gifts. I also married a man who would never hurt myself and my girls in any way and he adopted all 3 last March.
What makes me a badass is when a little girl in our community was killed trying to get on her school bus, I approached the family and along with them, spear headed ” Kadyn’s Law” (kadynslaw.com) . We wrote to every school, city and county for letters of support and have compiled a book of 244 letters and will be headed to the Iowa state capital to strengthen school bus stop are laws. I am not a lobbyist, I am a mom volunteering to try to make things right.
What makes me a badass is because of my work I was invited to speak at a national conference for all of the top bus industry people. I did it for free and because of that I will be doing my speech in other states,, free of charge, to help keep littles more safe.
What makes me a badass is I believe one person can change the world. One voice reaching many.
Finally what makes me a badass is I believe there is so much good still in this world.
Ohhh yeah, I have a Harley too…I named her Harlett and she is being custom painted. She is the first thing I did for myself last summer, that makes me a badass.
Badass! At 40 years old I woke up realized I was miserable and I changed it. Left a 20 year sexless, empty and emotionless marriage, started a new career, reconnected with the love of my life, moved forward and didn’t look back. What makes me badass? Fearless, determination to seek the love, desire career and adventure that I not only want out of life but that I deserve. Learning to embrace the true meaning of balance, body, mind and soul. I need to let go of body image issues and guilt…..it’s a journey. It’s a journey that has ups and downs, twists and turns and I am learning to welcome it all.
I am a badass because I’m a survivor. I’m a fighter and I keep going. When shit happens in life that makes me stumble and fall I get back up again, and I learn from the bad experiances. Through everything I could have become a very bitter person but I have remained happy and positive. I’m a badass because I’m learning to embrace and love myself unconditionally flaws and all.
THANK YOU to all who entered the contest! I LOVED reading all your comments! The contest is now over and the winners will be notified via email and announced on the blog!