Something that ruffles my tulle skirt is women putting down other women. The hate is out of control.
Ewwww…look at that roll of belly fat. Are you like pregnant or something?
Oh my gosh…you’re so skinny. Are you anorexic or something?
You’ve got the most annoying voice I’ve ever heard. I can’t possibly listen to you talk for more than a few minutes.
You seriously need to hire a stylist. You have no idea how to dress yourself.
You mispronounced such-and-such. You must be a total idiot.
You’re doing a makeup tutorial and you’ve got pimples. Who would ever want to look like you?
You look like you’re growing a beard with that chin hair. Why would anyone marry you?
How did you get 12k followers on Instagram? You’re so ugly.
(Yes…some of these have been comments I’ve received. It’s inevitable if you run an online business that includes live video, YouTube videos, speaking engagements or photos on social media.)
I feel like some people must forget that there’s a human being on the other side. Otherwise, why would you act like that (unless you’re a psychopath or hairy miserable troll)?
Why can’t we support each other, lift each other up? What’s the point of being rude and mean to someone you’ve never even met in person? Do you really believe that someone else’s success means your failure?
Imagine if we cheered each other on. What if we recommended our competitors when they’re a better fit for something? What if we approached things with a mindset of abundance, knowing that another entrepreneur’s success means there’s a better chance for all of us?
And, as someone who feels very strongly about this, I constantly ask myself what I can do to lift up other women. That’s how I got this idea.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’m compiling a list of 100 badass (and by badass, I mean courageous, smart, talented, passionate, confident) female entrepreneurs to watch in 2017. And, I need your help!
Please take five minutes to fill out this super short survey to nominate up to three female entrepreneurs who inspire or motivate you.
(And, if you want to nominate more than three, you’re my kind of girl. Just fill it out again.)
I mean…I could come up with the entire list, but that wouldn’t be as much fun. I want to know who you love to hear from–whose weekly blog post is a must-read, whose Instagram account do you stalk because you don’t want to miss a single update and whose emails make you want to squeal with joy when they pop into your inbox?
With your help, I know we can create a dynamic, exciting list. And, through that list, I know we’ll find lots of other entrepreneurs to connect with and follow. Let’s celebrate each other.
All I need from you today is to fill out this survey (unless you’d also like to send me a unicorn). I’ll post the list before the end of the year so be on the lookout for it!
Thanks for taking the time to participate (and for never telling me that my voice is the most annoying thing you’ve ever heard). You da best!
I’m still jaw dropped open over the “belly fat” line. Wheeeereeee??!?!?!
And even if it were true (which uhhhh it’s not!), that’s just plain rude. Totally with you though. I’ve had so much crap said to me, and it makes me wonder whatever happened to the policy of “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
No one has said the belly fat line to me…but I’ve read it recently on someone’s Instagram picture.
Awwww that’s so sad! I hate how much mean I find in comment sections… :/ Instagram and Buzzfeed both get pretty vicious.
This is one of the reasons why I appreciate the Sunday Society. Everyone is polite, everyone is supportive, everyone is kind–it’s just a really positive environment that feels safe. (Probably because we don’t discuss politics, LOL….)
That kind of ugliness has been holding me back from ramping up on Youtube. I’m not terribly thick skinned. Even though I know these are people who just cruise around looking to leave mean comments, I am still just a little bit afraid to really put myself out there. But I feel like it’s necessary to get myself to where I want to go, so I am going to do it anyway. I’ve noticed some people actually do videos where they zoom into the ugly comments and call them out. Like the celebrities who read the mean tweets about themselves. I don’t get the need to be mean to people. If I don’t like something I just move on to something else. Abuse is a rampant issue online, so I guess we have to accept it as part of the job if we take this on. I never expected that taking abuse would be part of my job description. I think that’s ridiculous. But it’s the reality in the world we currently inhabit. It will be a barrier to entry for a lot people, that’s for sure.
Dear Pattymac,
If on youtube would be your first time you meet abuse, then you are one lucky woman. Unfortunately, you cannot stop people from calling you names (online or in real life), but you can do something about it.
You can be secure in your communication, you can tell everyone how you feel about this issue (even during each video if it’s that bad, which I hope it will never be) and you can gracefully delete the bad comments (not the ones that seem bad, but are the constructive and help you develop into a better person, but the ones that are made of insults to you or your work). Rule number one in having any conversation online is: Don’t feed the trolls.
That being said, I really like April’s website because it’s such a peaceful and safe place to express yourself, your worries, your good news. Thank you for that, April.
Alright so I get that you want it to be a distinct sound that can be grasped but from that short clip I cannot exactly tell what they are. I think I have an idea. But I know you create cool music so I have faith that I will like the finished product.
Oh boy, I love surveys!! This should be fun! Thanks for spreading some positive vibes!
oh my God!!! what’s the purpose of insulting people???
It is a great idea – spreading positive vibes! I am your girl! my glass is always half full 🙂
Un Abrazo!
So glad that Misha Hettie shared this with me! Yay for supporting other badasses! Form filled out, and I posted this in my own Spiritual Badass community. I would totally send you a unicorn if I had an address. 🙂
April:
This post is reflective of how your combined smarts, awareness and commitment to human beings drew me to your CreativeLIVE classes. That, and your delivery of pithy content with a giggle and a twirl.
The folk who stand up and speak are fully alive. Those who throw their unprocesed pain, well, stay in that pain.
Thank you – here’s a rose for just being you.
LOVE this idea! I voted for woman who exude a gentle, loving kindness and have built me and others up