Break All the Rules

A Mrs. Maisel Follow Up

Just over a month ago, I wrote a post titled, Say Your Name: Magnolia & Mrs. Maisel Mashup. Well, I just finished watching the series and am re-inspired!

In the final episode, Midge Maisel takes her 4 minutes, stands up and declares:

“I want a big life. I want to experience everything. I want to break every rule there is. They say ambition is an unattractive trait in a woman. Maybe. But you know what’s really unattractive? Waiting around for something to happen. Staring out a window thinking the life you should be living is out there somewhere but not being willing to open the door and go get it even if someone tells you you can’t. Being a coward is only cute in The Wizard of Oz.

– The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

When she declared she wanted a big life, I knew in my body that what she was saying was also true for me. I want to experience everything too.

I see other people living the life I want to live. Writing the books I want to write, travelling in ways I want to travel, running programs, speaking, and making an impact in the ways I want.

When I recognize these kinds of desires in myself I always ask: “Am I willing to embrace my life and live it life to the fullest?”

I want to invite you to embrace your dreams and desires. Especially if you have been told they aren’t possible.

Break the rules. Be ambitious if you want to.

Stop apologizing for who you are and what you want.

It’s a feminist issue. We can’t keep telling each other, and most importantly ourselves, that what we want isn’t okay.

You don’t need to look outside of yourself. Within you lies so much strength and possibility.