UPFRONT at Pregnant Then Screwed
Still on a high from my morning at Pregnant Then Screwed Live this morning. This was the 4th Festival of Motherhood and Work and as always I got so much out of my short time there. The programme is truly a joy to behold; CV building, poetry, community building, legal advice, singing, flexible working, career-changing, relationships, identity and lots and lots of BABIES, smiles and laughter. I love this write up of the last one.
Today was the first year my two boys didn’t come with me. Mainly because 👶🏽 is too big now but I missed them terribly. I made the tough decision to leave early. Even though I’m full of energy and inspiration from the women I met today I know my body is very tired and tonight will likely be a night of broken sleep too.
My UPFRONT workshop always sells out at this event and this makes me proud. In a short 70 mins, a group of women who’d never met before cheered themselves and each other like they’ve never done before. At the start of our session, one woman shared she’d been offered a job the night before and wasn’t sure if she’d take it or not because she was doubting herself. At the end of our session, she said she will say YES to the job offer.
Women turn up because they’ve grown up been told they are “too quiet”, they have had a shitty boss who’s made them feel small, they’re struggling with their new identity post-birth, they have been told in some shape or form to find this otherworldy thing called “confidence”. Now they know they are not alone.
They know these things happen because societies relationship with confidence is broken; it’s not something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. It’s not always loud and hard, it can be soft and quiet. Feeling like you don’t fit the world’s mould of confidence isn’t your fault - if you weren’t born as a white, straight, privileged male it’s likely you don’t fit how our society defines power and confidence.
“You tell me to quiet down cause my opinions make me less beautiful but I was not made with a fire in my belly so I could be put out” Rupi Kaur
A massive thank you to every single volunteer who made today happen, to UsTwo for sponsoring and to Joeli for the thankless work you do day in and day out to end maternity discrimination.
A bunch of you messaged me because you didn’t get a space in today’s session. For news on our next UPFRONT workshop (Manchester Feb 6th and London/West Sussex March 2nd) and our online course sign up to our newsletter here.
PS. We’ve been nominated for an award and it would mean the world if you’d vote for UPFRONT here.