Part I: You Might Be Experiencing “Women’s Empowerment Erosion” 😬

Here's how you can tell, plus what to do about it so you can embody the full range of your creative power for next-level influence, intimacy and impact.

Before we dive into the ways this might be showing up in your life (as a successful and driven female founder, entrepreneur, executive or public figure on a mission to transform industries, cultures and the status quo) let me explain what I mean by "women’s empowerment erosion."

“Women’s empowerment erosion” is a phrase I’ve coined that describes what happens when a modern, empowered woman’s choices, decisions, beliefs and actions (to create more equity, freedom and power in her life and in the world) gradually begin to work against the woman, causing a diminution of the original desires, vision and reason for having a women’s empowerment and feminist movement in the first place. 

It’s evident when “women’s empowerment erosion” is happening when areas of your life—whether it’s in your work, your relationships, or even your personal identity, health and wellbeing—are deeply important to you, but somewhere along the way to achieving success, and in your efforts to create change, you’ve lost touch with them…and your full, radiant and powerful energy. 

You might feel like you no longer have the space, permission, or time to truly embody your power, receptivity and creativity—even the courage to fully step into your most authentic self—because you’re so focused on pushing forward to get, achieve, or establish what you desire, meanwhile you can no longer access the vulnerability or authenticity needed to allow yourself to be seen and supported in ways you deeply desire and need to reach your next level desires, calling and impact. 

“Women’s empowerment erosion” is more common than we think, especially as we settle into our 30s, 40s and 50s. By this time, we've often been playing certain roles (in our careers, as partners, or as leaders) for so long that we’ve slipped into automatic routines, based solely on leveraging our masculine energy, that create a false sense of power, safety, control, stability and significance. 

Over time and without realizing it, we unconsciously create this “erosion” where the more we make an effort towards what we deserve and the ideals we desire to see in society, the more our feminine energy, essence, trust and ease get chipped away and deduced in favor of productivity, logic, control and perfection.

Feels like diminishing women and femininity, right?
Sounds a bit like (distorted) patriarchy, no? 🤔

(and by the way, it’s important to note that I don’t have an issue with patriarchy—aka the system of men being in their power, gifts and insight, and passing resources and opportunities on to their offspring and lineage as part of his rightful place of leadership in a family unit, clan and/or community—but that’s a different conversation, another article, for another time 📌)

“Women’s empowerment erosion” is essentially created when modern women’s empowerment efforts are quite literally counterproductive to the world we claim we desire to create, and goes against our physical biology and divine design, in the name of equality, equity, and economic access and/or progress. 

“Women’s empowerment erosion” isn’t a reflection of failure, or making revolutionary, radical or culture-changing women wrong, nor is it a bid to go back to a 1950s take on strained relationships or gender-roles.

It’s simply a sign that something is missing, something needs to be remembered, and something needs recalibrating so you can reconnect with the parts of you that will allow you to embody the woman you actually desire to be, and show up as the change we need (and want) to see in the world. 

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Now, let's talk about how the symptoms of “women’s empowerment erosion” commonly show up in ambitious women’s lives:

1. You feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel disconnected from your own joy, creativity or satisfaction (or it’s always fleeting).
   Despite hitting major milestones in your career or personal life, there’s a persistent sense that something is missing. You’re achieving, but it doesn’t feel as fulfilling anymore—and in spite of all your efforts, you’re not sure why.
   

2. You’re constantly giving but rarely feel replenished.
   Whether it’s in your relationships, career, or community, you’re the one holding everything together. Yet, you rarely feel supported or seen in return. And even when you are, it doesn’t feel deep, safe or genuine. The balance of giving and receiving feels lopsided, leaving you simultaneously drained and longing.
   

3. You’ve mastered strategy and structure but struggle with flow and intuition.
   You thrive on planning, execution and logic, but when it comes to letting go, trusting your instincts, or being in the moment, it feels foreign—or even scary. And when you do follow what you intuit, you often veer away, discredit or invalidate what you sense through your rational mind. It’s as though your feminine energy is sitting in the background, waiting for an invitation, wanting to be valued, honored and cherished.
   

4. You attract opportunities or romantic partners but feel a disconnect in sustaining them, or you’re harboring resentment with your spouse because you’re carrying the responsibility load in life.
   Whether it’s in business or love, you know how to draw people and opportunities toward you, but keeping them aligned with your desires and values feels elusive. There’s often tension or misalignment that prevents true harmony, depth and longevity.
   

5. You feel like you’re living a split life—powerful in public, but uncertain in private.
   To the outside world, you’re an empowered, capable woman. A true leader, trailblazer, way-shower. Yet, behind closed doors, you struggle with self-doubt, burnout, shame, or a sense that your life doesn’t reflect your deepest desires. The feeling doesn’t make sense to your mind and certainly doesn’t reflect the quality of life you live nor the accomplishments you’ve achieved, but the feelings won’t go away. In fact, they’re becoming unignorable.
   

Each of these is a sign of “women’s empowerment erosion.”

The good news?

 “Women’s empowerment erosion” can be identified, repaired and reversed, allowing you to fully embody your radiance, reclaim your feminine energy, and step into the life, influence and impact you truly desire.