There are several things I believe every grown woman should be capable of doing, but there are 5 things, in particular, that I feel are non-negotiable for us to meet the standards of a true grown woman.
Hint: They have nothing to do with where you live, how you live, or what kind of car you drive.
Here are 5 things every grown woman should know how to do!
1. How to prepare a well-balanced meal.
I’m not asking you to channel Bobby Flay or be the next Food Network Star, but there is never a time that a grown woman should not be able to prepare a well-balanced meal when necessary. Yes, that means a meal of nutritional value along with good taste. Initially, I wanted to say that it should almost be mandatory for you to make a well-balanced meal daily, but I realized I was asking for a lot. I understand that even though it comes easy to some of us women, that may not be the same for all. That’s fair. Nevertheless, at least have the knowledge and capability to do so. I get that not all women happen to love to cook (like I do), but that is no excuse for not knowing how. At the bare minimum, you should have enough skill to look at a recipe, follow it, and produce a sufficient meal. Period.
2. How to be a genuine caregiver.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a helpless animal or your parents at an old age, every grown woman should know how to be a genuine caregiver to those in need. A grown woman should always consider herself a resource to help those in need without thinking about what she will get out of it or what she would have to do to be of help. Selflessness. It’s these types of skills that help the world go ’round. Being able to give of yourself for the good of someone else is an essential trait to embody. Being a natural caregiver also comes in handy with many parts of being a woman, like hosting friends and family, knowing how to clean properly, or cooking proper meals. While I believe it may be an underestimated trait, it is definitely something every grown woman should know how to do.
3. How to encourage someone.
Every grown woman should know how to give fruitful advice, offer prayer, and/or be a voice of encouragement when the time calls for it. Many women overlook the power that we have on the inside of us. We create life for goodness sake! For most of us, there will come a time when you will have to encourage your child or someone in need and you should be able to do just that. Every grown woman should know how to plant seeds and be a vessel in the life of others.
4. How to create and hold a fruitful conversation.
Have you ever spoken to a woman who can’t hold a conversation? Oh my gosh. One of the saddest sights in the world, in my opinion. If there is one thing we women love to do, it is talk. If the only thing you can hold a conversation longer than 5 minutes about is Real Housewives or the latest Facebook drama–I have no words for the kind of help you need. If you find that you need help in this area, you should start by turning the television and social media off and picking up a book. No shade… but seriously. Educate yourself to the point where you can hold a fruitful conversation. Find something valuable to be interested in and find people who want to talk about that. I mean, you are a grown woman after all, right?
5. How to dress ‘the part’.
Every grown woman should know how to dress appropriately for anywhere she may have to go. That means knowing the ins and outs of the appropriate dress styles for the right places and events. I’m not saying you have to know every little detail of style, but you should be able to determine if a color is appropriate or if a top is just a little too tight. That also means knowing the rules of dress like being able to walk in heels if that is what the dress code calls for or when to wear stockings (which, I think, is one of the most forgotten rules in the book).
Again, I am not coming for your neck ladies, just encouraging us all to make sure that we focus on the real things that every grown woman should know how to do. Years to come, it won’t matter if your eyebrows were on “fleek” or whether or not your hair was “slayed.” We are responsible for raising the next generations of humans. Let’s make sure we are ready for such an amazing task!
Love always, Isis.
