In today’s society, a narrative still lingers that portrays women as damsels in distress, constantly needing a knight in shining armor to care for them. However, it is time for women to break free from this limiting belief and embrace their independence in relationships! I don’t know how often I hear women say, I just want somebody to care for me! And I’m like, whose job is that? Why is that somebody’s job to take care of you?

While it is understandable to desire a partner who walks beside us, it is not their responsibility to carry us through life. It does women a great disservice as women to stand around and wait for that because it doesn’t come. Women often pay the bills, take care of household tasks, provide childcare, and run errands. So how is it that you need them to take care of you? You don’t! 

These ideas have been with us for a long time, going back to all the Grimm’s fairy tales and even as far back as the idea of Adam and Eve, and Eve turning from the tree of life for a snake. The narrative is very intentional. If we fall victim to the collective spell of minimizing women to believe that we need to sit around and wait for a man, we’re not becoming anything. 

The idea of needing someone to take care of us can be detrimental to our personal development. Waiting for a savior can lead to missed opportunities and hinder growth. Instead, I encourage you to stand on two feet, be self-sufficient, and embrace your independence. Focus on finding a balance of equal partners who share responsibilities and support each other’s growth. (If you can’t make this happen, either accept it and move on or leave the relationship.) By doing so, we empower ourselves and create healthier, balanced relationships. 

Furthermore, men also suffer from the burden of the unrealistic expectations placed on them. Who wants to have the responsibility of carrying another person? It’s exhausting and unsustainable. By breaking free from the damsel in distress narrative, both men and women can experience more fulfilling and equal partnerships.

It is time for women to reclaim their independence and redefine their relationship roles. We should no longer settle for the outdated belief that a partner’s primary role is to take care of us. You can take care of yourSelf. And you don’t need to sacrifice your happiness just to say you have a partner. Have a partner when it’s the right partner. 

Let us break free from the damsel in distress narrative and find partners who walk beside us rather than carry us!