Good’s Editor-at-Large, Justine Jamieson, shares why celebrating womanhood should go beyond a single day.
Women are often the unseen initiators, the quiet forces weaving communities together while juggling countless roles. We are the ones offering a listening ear to a friend in crisis, managing the emotional and physical labour of households, and maintaining busy work lives—often at the cost of our own well-being. Some of us, however, aren’t doing this quietly at all; we are the ones who say, “I know the way, follow me.” We take bold stands against injustice; even as patriarchal structures scramble to silence and discredit us as “crazy.”
There are so many kinds of women that we can’t place ourselves neatly in a box, because the very essence of the feminine is unpredictable and ever-evolving.
The myth of “not enough”
Having spent much of my life wrestling with the belief that I’m not enough, I see the same struggle in many women I’ve supported. This feeling is deeply ingrained in our psyches, woven into our very cells by generations of conditioning and trauma. We’ve been programmed to be all things—to stay young, as anti-wrinkle ads dictate; to attain impossible body standards, as fashion magazines and social media demand; and to strive for perfection in every role we play.
The majority of us have internalised these messages, becoming our own harshest critics. Sometimes, this manifests in how we treat each other, breeding unnecessary competition instead of a thriving collective sisterhood.
The sisterhood wound
When we gossip, tear down outspoken women, or overrule the gentler voices, we perpetuate a cycle of harm that ultimately damages us all. I’ve experienced this firsthand in the fashion and media industries, where jealousy often runs rampant and gossip is a constant undercurrent. Instead of lifting each other up, many women engage in subtle manipulative battles. I’ve heard whispers putting down my appearance, my expression, and my successes. But I now understand that this behaviour is deeply rooted in the collective “sister wound” we have all, in some way, contributed to.
I am no saint—I, too, have struggled with my own shadow sides. This sisterhood wound tells us there is not enough space for all of us to shine, so we fight for scraps with a scarcity mindset instead of creating our own opportunities and celebrating each other’s successes.
The funny thing is, we are told to “be authentically you,” yet we constantly turn to self-help books written by other women to remind us how. Ironically, in reading them, we often wish to become someone else. The truth is, we can only discover who we truly are by shedding the illusions imposed upon us, by listening to the innate wisdom of our bodies, and by moving through life intuitively—without needing external validation. My healing journey has taught me this: I know the way when I become still, immerse myself in nature, and connect with my inner wisdom. If I am less reactive and more flexible than yesterday, I give myself a pat on the back.
Moving beyond competition
This competitive energy often stems from a scarcity mindset—the false belief that there is only space for a select few to succeed in beauty, career, or influence. But the truth is, we each have something unique to offer. When we uplift and support each other, we amplify our collective power.
Real empowerment comes when we move beyond rivalry and towards recognition. Mutual support and collaboration are the easiest paths forward when we master the art of relating. Instead of focusing on another woman’s perceived weaknesses, let’s acknowledge her strengths. Let’s ensure that the quiet woman in the room is heard and seen, rather than overlooked. Let’s celebrate those who take bold moves, whether in their careers, relationships, or personal growth.
Stages of womanhood
Through my latest life initiation with breast cancer, I realised that my own jealousy of other women and my need to prove my worth through over-giving stemmed from not acknowledging my stage of life. I had been trying to keep up with the energy of the maiden when, in reality, I had stepped into my years as a wise woman. I no longer needed to push as hard or compete with younger people; my worth was not tied to my elasticity, my ability to prove my goodness, or even how much I knew.
With this understanding came a profound relief—a surrender to the gifts of intuition, experience, and self-trust, which allowed me to slow down. I fear less about my partner “trading me in for a newer model with more fertility.” I realise I have no control over anyone outside myself. As Mel Robbins says, “Let them.” At 42, life has taught me bravery and resilience. With enough tough lessons, you begin to trust that the universe will catch you when you fall.
The exhaustion of seeking external validation lessens with age—it’s a great feeling. I acknowledge that I trained myself to be hyper-aware of others’ perceptions—as an editor, marketer, and stylist, it was quite literally my job. Unlearning this has been a journey, and one still far from mastered. I believe many women must undertake this journey to reclaim their own definitions of self-worth.
The gift of feeling
“Meet Justine, she feels a lot.” That’s how someone introduced me recently. I laughed—because I was mid-cycle; otherwise, I might have reacted differently. But they were right—no one could say I wasn’t fully feeling my life. My recent diagnosis of advanced breast cancer has intensified this experience.
Women are deeply feeling creatures, tuned into subtleties that many overlook. Yet, in a world that often devalues intuition in favour of logic, or authentic emotions in favour of niceties, we are taught to suppress our feelings. Reclaiming the ability to feel without shame is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. In my opinion, it is the most important part of the human experience.
Celebrating each other
So how do we truly celebrate and uplift the women in our lives beyond a single day in March? It doesn’t require grand gestures or social media tributes. Real support is found in the small things—leaving a heartfelt comment on a vulnerable social post, sharing a friend’s new business offering, or acknowledging someone’s quiet or extraordinary victories.
When we stop focusing on what others lack and start celebrating their strengths, we create an environment where every woman has space to shine. It’s about seeing and honouring each other in our everyday triumphs, however small they may seem. Because when women support women, the ripple effect is limitless. Let’s make it a daily practice, not just a once-a-year celebration. Let’s create a world where competition fades, collaboration thrives, and the collective rise of women is unstoppable. Because when one woman wins, we all win.
