Alexandra Plesa
If you’re a fierce and energetic woman, you have a lot going for you.
You’re unafraid to take risks, you stick to your convictions, and you passionately chase your dreams.
But while you test your limits on a regular basis, you can also stumble as you carve your mark on the world.
Here are 11 challenges faced by women with strong and dynamic personalities.
The first step to overcoming them is realizing that they exist in the first place.
1) They’re prone to impulsive decisions
If you’re a woman with a strong and dynamic personality, impulsivity is likely your middle name.
You rely on your instincts, so you often dive head-first into a situation without weighing your options for too long.
While this quality can pay off – as an overthinker, I envy you – hasty decisions can come back to haunt you.
My advice? When faced with a life-altering choice, take a breather before taking the plunge.
Making a list of pros and cons never hurt anyone.
2) They don’t do “boring”
You’re enthusiastic and constantly chasing new highs. That’s great!
The downside is that you tend to reject or fear everything you deem “boring,” like having a daily routine or even settling down in a long-term relationship.
Here’s the thing: we need a little boring from time to time.
Otherwise, burnout and overindulgence are just around the corner.
Having a capsule wardrobe and journaling, for instance, are things that seem tedious at first but make your life easier.
You can’t achieve greatness without consistency.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to liven a traffic jam by calling a friend or listening to a podcast.
Yet, the more comfortable you become with boredom, the better you’ll handle the occasional mundanity of life.
3) They can be impatient…
Women with strong and dynamic personalities are known to have a short fuse.
As a result, they don’t interact well with people who like to take their time. (Slow co-workers are likely the bane of your existence.)
Additionally, you can become impatient with yourself. You go for instant rather than delayed gratification; and the latter usually has more benefits.
The only way you can fix this? Practice!
Try meditation and learn to slow down every now and then. Not everything needs to be rushed.
4) … and tactless
Speaking of slow co-workers, when’s the last time you raised your voice at one?
If you’re used to speaking your mind, you’re also probably used to hurting others’ feelings.
You don’t have to start treating everyone with kid gloves, but learning how to bite your tongue when the situation calls for diplomacy is crucial.
While I’m mostly talking about a professional or social context, your strong opinions can get you in trouble with loved ones too.
Make sure you can handle the consequences before dropping a hurtful truth bomb on a friend or calling out a colleague during a work meeting.
5) They have trouble winding down
For women with strong and dynamic personalities, being “on” is their natural state.
Consequently, they can have difficulty winding down – taking time off, resting, or indulging in a tranquil activity after a long day.
If that’s you, you must figure out how to relax without feeling guilty or itching to cross yet another thing off your never-ending list.
Here are a few things you can try to give your mind and body a proper rest:
- Take a bubble bath, complete with candles and music
- Allow yourself at least one day/week with zero plans
- Find a hobby that keeps your hands busy and calms the mind (gardening, doing puzzles, crafts, and so on)
- Prioritize sleep
6) They don’t do well with failure
Women with strong and dynamic personalities have big egos, so they don’t handle failure particularly well.
They beat themselves up for too long before eventually trying again.
Unfortunately, failure is a part of life, and everyone has to find a way to deal with it productively.
It’s OK to wallow in self-pity for a bit, but being unkind to yourself won’t make things better.
7) They can be perfectionists
Done is better than perfect isn’t a mantra fierce women embrace wholeheartedly.
Quite the contrary. They’re known to obsess over every little detail.
Being a perfectionist certainly has upsides: you have high standards, and you strive to be the best possible version of yourself.
However, you can also lose sight of the bigger picture.
Or, you procrastinate putting something out in the world before you’re 100% ready, missing out on great opportunities in the process.
As a writer, I feel you. I also struggle with publishing my work.
I can always find a sentence I’m not completely happy with and tweak it to the point where it becomes worse than it was when I started.
You know what helps me in these situations?
Deadlines.
Next time you torment yourself over a task, decide on a time frame to get it done and stick to it.
8) They over-schedule themselves
Since we’re on the topic of perfectionism, your planner is probably too full.
Women with strong and dynamic personalities want to take advantage of everything life offers, so they can go a little overboard.
If your calendar has no wiggle room, you could probably benefit from blocking out some free time.
Maybe you can engage in some of that rest we already talked about?
9) They can be perceived as “bossy”
Yes, there’s a double standard. Women with strong personalities are labeled “bossy,” while men who exhibit the same traits are “decisive.”
Uncool.
When you are indeed the boss, make no apologies for your assertiveness.
But if your loved ones complain about your attitude, it may be time to reassess.
Perhaps you can let a friend pick the brunch spot next time? Or your partner can decide where you’ll go on vacation?
It won’t be the end of the world, I promise.
10) They have trouble processing emotions
Living life in the fast lane means that you don’t have much time for pesky emotions.
You tend to brush off negative feelings and not dwell on the positive ones for too long, always chasing the next great thing.
Unfortunately, this can make you lose touch with yourself and lead to a full-on existential crisis.
Next time you experience a strong emotion, positive or negative, sit with it for a while.
If you still feel uncomfortable doing this, reach out to a therapist.
They can identify your defense mechanisms and help you get more insight into what goes on underneath your hard shell.
11) They don’t like to be told what to do
Women with strong and dynamic personalities frequently loathe to be told what to do.
You’re all about breaking the rules and walking your own path. Listening to someone else’s instructions? Not so much.
Still, respecting some guidelines is part of living in a civilized society.
At least do it when it’s in your best interests. That’s a good rule of thumb.
Bottom line
Everyone has shortcomings.
Once you recognize yours, you can come up with strategies to improve.
Your strength and vigor will definitely help with that.
