Womanstanding
what is it?
Reader, Helen Geter, aka 7WordsWorth, shared the word womenstanding with me when describing why she waits to read my emails.
“Rather, I wait, like a hunter, for the ideal opportunity to relish and bask in the wisdom of "womenstanding" as my mind calls it, for the sacred moment when I will not be interrupted…”
I had never heard the word before and was naturally curious. All I could find via Google was this Urban Dictionary definition. Womanstanding as, “When women (usually feminists) remove facts and logic from their understanding of something, insisting that their feelings equate to truth.” (Definitely written by a man I’d say.)
The better definition/explanation, according to my new play toy, Chat GPT, is, that "Womanstanding" appears to be a term used to describe the wisdom and understanding that mature women possess about life due to their experiences and perspective. It implies a level of insight and understanding that comes with age and lived experiences. This term suggests that mature women have a unique way of comprehending and navigating life's challenges and complexities. It acknowledges the depth of understanding that can come with maturity and highlights the importance of valuing the perspectives of older women.” Spot on Chat GPT!
Disclaimer - I do not and will never write using Chat GPT, but it is fun to see what it comes up with now and again.)
Simply said (by me), womenstanding is the scope of understanding that wise older mature women share.
Is womanstanding the total opposite of mansplaining?
Is womenstanding that knowing look women often share when they observe something and no explanation is needed?
Is just knowing about and understanding the concept of womenstanding enough to make you smile…..knowingly?
Have I ever mentioned I graduated Magna Cum Laude in Women’s Studies, now aka to me, womenstanding, at the University of Maryland?
Further study on my part led to this tidbit - “It has also been shown that male brains use more grey matter (information and action-centered areas of the brain) when processing information, while females use more white matter (which governs “higher order” reasoning and thinking). This is why females tend to be better at multi-tasking, are usually better at interpreting emotions, and seem to have “women’s intuition” (which I think is a term invented by men to explain why women are generally smarter!) Michael Shapiro PhD, Southern Regional Area Health Education Center
Now I have a word, a name for what I’ve been experiencing for so long. For the last 12 years, I have hosted a women’s art retreat. It was a dream of mine when I turned 60 and once I found the ideal place I had envisioned, I made it happen. Sometimes I’m the teacher, other times I ask artists working in different mediums to come and teach.
When I held that first retreat in 2012 I was scared to death that it would be an awkward nightmare. It was perfect and exceeded my expectations, even though we had to cancel the 3rd day because of Hurricane Sandy. (It didn’t reach the mountain in Maryland where the retreat is held and everyone made it home safely.) The following year I was even more nervous, anxious, and yes, afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the previous year. That feeling repeated itself a few more times but now, I don’t worry at all. It is a magical, bonding experience when like-minded (art-obsessed), women come together for 4-5 days. It’s hard to explain but maybe some of the women who return again and again will comment here and help me out. (nudge, nudge)
This retreat is the perfect example of womenstanding, as was the gathering of women at the workshop I attended in Portugal. The name of my retreat is The Red Thread. It comes from an ancient Chinese proverb:
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.
Women get one another. We understand each other. We may have just met but we are familiar feminine souls, wise women of a certain age. We strengthen each other. I love the idea, the ideal, and the intention behind womanstanding.
How about you? Does this word or concept ring true for you? Do you think you’ll add it to your vocabulary?
Quote of the Week
Anytime women come together, with a collective intention, magic happens.
Phylicia Rashad
Lesley.....It has been my experience that as women age, they take on 'Elder' qualities in deeper ways: forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, wisdom and an intuitive understanding of others. I haven't had the pleasure of attending a "Red Threat" retreat, but having you as a mentor underscored the fact that two women, strangers to one another, can easily and quickly bond and share on a deep level. My husband often comments that "as men age, they want more from their spouse/partner and as women age, they want to be either alone or with other women." And I think he's right. As an 'elder' women, I find it comforting to be with other women...it's easier!!
Lesley - what a powerful concept - “womanstanding” gives a name to something I have been feeling for years now.
Your bravery, wisdom & creativity in starting The Red Thread has absolutely changed and greatly enriched my life. I still remember how scared but excited I was to attend that first retreat - at the time it was far outside my comfort zone. Those feelings evaporated as soon as I got there and talked to the others attending. We all truly got each other. You truly created a sisterhood. Womanstanding from you, the other instructors and the many attendees over the years have woven quite a tapestry. Grateful always to be one of the threads.