For too long, the way women see themselves has been shaped by an external force: the male gaze. We’ve been taught to assess our bodies as if we’re being watched, to angle our mirrors, poses, and even our thoughts around what is considered attractive, acceptable, or desirable. But what if we stopped viewing ourselves through the lens of societal expectations and started seeing ourselves through our own eyes?
What Is the Male Gaze? And Why Does It Matter?
The "male gaze" is more than just a term used in film studies—it’s a way of seeing that’s deeply embedded in our culture. It’s the idea that women exist to be looked at, evaluated, and consumed, whether in media, social interactions, or even their own reflections. It’s why so many of us suck in our stomachs when we pass a mirror, why we instinctively smooth our hair when we see a camera, why we feel pressure to shrink, soften, or change.
The problem? The male gaze disconnects us from our own experience. Instead of moving through the world as whole, embodied people, we end up watching ourselves move—always conscious of how we appear rather than how we feel.
The Female Gaze: Seeing Yourself Through Your Own Eyes
Reclaiming your body from external expectations starts with shifting your perspective. The female gaze isn’t about how you look—it’s about how you experience yourself. It’s about embracing the power of feeling, rather than just being seen.
How to Reclaim Your Gaze:
✨ Focus on How You Feel, Not How You Look
Instead of asking, Do I look good in this outfit? ask, Do I feel good in this outfit? Rather than worrying about how others perceive your body, tune into what makes you feel strong, beautiful, and comfortable in your own skin.
✨ Stop Watching Yourself Like a Movie Character
You don’t exist to be admired in still frames or curated moments. Your body isn’t an aesthetic—it’s your home. Catch yourself when you start evaluating your appearance through an outsider’s lens and instead, anchor yourself in the moment.
✨ Unfollow & Unlearn Harmful Beauty Standards
Curate your social media to reflect diverse, real, and empowering representations of women. Let go of the idea that beauty is one-size-fits-all and surround yourself with images, messages, and communities that support body neutrality and self-love.
✨ Embrace What Makes You Feel Powerful
True confidence isn’t about looking a certain way—it’s about living fully and unapologetically. Whether that means dancing in your underwear, lifting heavy weights, or wearing bold lipstick for no reason, embrace the things that make you feel alive.
Your Body, Your Rules
The world has spent enough time telling women how they should look, move, and exist. It’s time to take back the narrative. Your body is not a display, a trend, or an object to be consumed. It is yours—wild, dynamic, and worthy just as it is.
So the next time you catch yourself adjusting for an invisible audience, take a deep breath, drop your shoulders, and ask: How do I feel in my body today? Because that’s the only gaze that truly matters.