Happy Women's Day! 🎕

Today is indeed International Women's Day. And I know it doesn't mean much for most people in the UK, but it is slowly creeping into our lives, the same way Black Friday or Christmas Eve boxes did. Each year, there is more talk about it in the media and we become more aware of it. 

It used to be predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries - a perfect excuse for my dad to ignore it altogether. What is my childhood memory of it? Women getting flowers, carnations, to be specific. How boring, you might say. Surely, there were other flowers available. Except that's all I remember. Maybe that's why I much prefer other flowers now. 

But as a grown woman, I truly hope International Women's Day is more than that. It is 21st century, yet there is still so much to do. We're still not getting equal pay or job opportunities, there are not enough of us in positions of power and it has just been highlighted our healthcare needs improvements (in the UK). As long as these challenges exist (among many others), I feel it's vital to remind everyone about International Women's Day. Let's celebrate today how far we have come and remember how far we still have to go. This year's theme is in fact "Choose to Challenge." 

On a more personal note, 8th March was my grandma's birthday. As an independent, well-read and well-travelled woman with a solid craft in hand, she would have been an amazing ambassador for women. Especially after surviving the hardships brought on by World War II. Sadly, she wasn't in my life for long, however, she made an invaluable impact on my life. 

Today, I'm not expecting to get flowers and I don't think I will. It doesn't matter, though. Today marks the end of our "hibernation." We are slowly coming out of the third lockdown and kids have gone back to school (Yay! I can hear all the parents and carers cheer). Spring is in the air and it feels like we have been given new hope and a new lease of life. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷