Fifty Characteristics of Badass Women

In the future there’s no difference between who you are and who you want to be.

1. She takes care of her body and treats it with respect.

2. She eats well and doesn’t under-eat or binge.

3. She moves her body in ways that feel good to her and rests without an ounce of guilt.

4. She gets an adequate amount of sleep and rest. If she has difficulty sleeping, she practices mindfulness and/or other relaxation techniques, or seeks help. 

5. She does not go overboard with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, or screen-time.

6. She maintains a good balance between resting and accomplishing things (being and doing). 

7. She maintains a good balance between being with people and being alone.

8. When she is alone, she enjoys her own company. 

9. She treats herself like she would treat a child she adores or her best friend. 

10. She has a loving, kind soundtrack of thoughts that play in her mind and when unkind or unhelpful thoughts pop up, she challenges them. 

11. She has a good relationship with her emotions. She cries when she’s sad and expresses her anger and frustration respectfully. She welcomes all her feelings and either sits with them, reaches out to safe people, or gives herself what she needs. 

12. She is able to grieve her losses and treat herself kindly in the process. 

13. She reaches out for support when she’s struggling. 

14. She has made peace with the past and can acknowledge past traumas when they arise. 

15. She can tolerate anxiety and change without catastrophizing. 

16. She spends a lot of her time in the present moment rather than lost in the past or the future. 

17. She spends time doing things for the sheer pleasure of it rather than always thinking she needs to be accomplishing something. 

18. She makes time for things that are important to her. 

19. She is able to compromise without surrendering her values or her core needs. 

20. She can apologise to others and forgive herself for her own mistakes.

21. She maintains a balance between giving to herself and giving to others. 

22. She knows that hard times will pass, and she is extra kind to herself when life feels difficult. 

23. She uses supportive tools (journaling, reaching out to safe people, spiritual practices, reading, therapy, podcasts, etc.) when life gets hard instead of using substances, negative self-talk or unhealthy behaviours. 

24. She feels lovable and worthy regardless of the circumstances in her life. 

25. She knows better than to try changing others and keeps the focus on herself.

26. She is aware of her finances and lives within her means. 

27. She uses her finances to both treat herself and be responsible for herself. 

28. She can accept compliments without disclaimers. 

29. She doesn’t expect herself (or others) to be happy all the time.

30. She expresses her thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful, mature manner and respectfully listens to other people’s thoughts, feelings, and needs. 

31. She spends time with people she feels safe and aligned with. 

32. She sets limits with others when she needs to. She can say “no” or “I need to change my mind” on occasion without regret.

33. She can extract herself from toxic situations and relationships by being firm but delicate.

34. She does not give other peoples’ opinions more weight than her own. 

35. She can disagree gracefully.

36. She can hear and consider difficult feedback from others without attacking them or herself. 

37. She laughs a lot; enjoys herself; and doesn’t take life too seriously.

38. She can forgive others for being imperfect and move beyond relationship glitches. 

39. She can be in her strength without being disrespectful to others. She can be in her softness without being disrespectful to herself. 

40. She has developed a life-style that develops self-esteem.

41. She doesn’t compare herself with others; but notes when she has grown and changed.

42. She doesn’t always have to be right.

43. She can speak gently and specifically about her sexual needs and desires.

44. She is not afraid of adventure.

45. She is patient.

46. She is organised and tidy.

47. She is unafraid to take calculated risks.

48. She loves to learn.

49. She makes decisions quickly and confidently.

50. She doesn’t think she needs to be perfect at anything — including any of the above!