For years, many of us tried to fit into the idea of being the “strong girl” in gym culture.
The one who never breaks routine or shows emotion, drinks the strongest pre-workout, and powers through everything without pause.
But here’s what we now understand: that version of strength, while exciting and aesthetically powerful, only tells half the story.
From a wellness perspective, physical strength and emotional flexibility are deeply connected. You can train discipline and test your resilience, but without allowing softness (rest, reflection, self-honesty) you burn out faster. You lose yourself. You forget your why.
Many of us were taught to see softness as weakness.
We thought wearing pink made us less serious, resting meant we weren’t committed, and showing emotion meant we were losing control. These beliefs didn’t appear out of nowhere; they came from a culture that praises overworking and suppressing feelings.
But soft traits like empathy, emotional awareness, and self-compassion are linked to better mental health, stronger decision-making, and improved long-term performance. They protect your energy and prevent chronic stress from taking over (Schutte & Malouff, 2013).
Real strength isn’t the absence of emotion. It’s the ability to feel deeply and still show up again tomorrow.
It’s crying after a long day at work, school, or with the kids, and still walking back into the gym ready to move your body.
It’s knowing when to push and when to recover, because both are essential for growth.
Women today are redefining what strength looks like.
We lift heavy, chase big goals, honor our feelings, rest with intention, and do it all unapologetically.
Soft means balanced. human. unstoppable.
Citation
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2013). Emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between mindfulness and subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(1), 96–99.
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