This Is What It Means To Be Badass


Nature and sunshine lover, Nireka is a 20-yr-old uni student,…
Every time the song, Good as Hell by Lizzo comes on, I turn up the volume and bust some moves.
It has such a groovy rhythm. I can’t stop myself.
“I do my hair toss
Check my nails
Baby, how you feelin’?
Feeling good as hell!”
She is the queen of sass, and I’m channeling her vibration.
Picture this. I’m listening to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” and expressing my powerful feminine side. I’m swaying my hips, eyes closed. As I dance to the bouncy beat, I toss my hair to one side. I feel confident. I feel strong. And I feel unbeatable.
Doesn’t that sound so damn freeing?
Now tell me, what does the word “badass” mean to you?
Because it has various definitions. Some classic adjectives used to describe it are mean, rude, tough, intimidating, and carefree. If you ask me, all of these are missing the depth of what it means to be truly badass. Or rather—a badass woman.
A badass woman is someone confident in who she is. Not an in-your-face kind of confidence, but a quiet and secure one. She doesn’t need to prove to anyone what her worth is. She knows. And she fucking shows it.
“The thing that women have yet to learn is that nobody gives you power. You just take it.”
—Roseanne Barr
A badass woman is someone who lives with purpose. She means what she speaks and goes after what she wants. She’s assertive and nurturing. Because she knows she can be both and is not afraid to be.
She is the star of her life.
A badass woman is refreshingly real. She won’t be fake-nice or a people pleaser. She knows how to say no, and most importantly, she knows that the right people won’t have to be convinced to stay. Either they see her worth, or they don’t. She doesn’t have to try to impress them or seek their validation.
A badass woman is a fighter. She has her ups and downs in life, but she’s not going down without a fight. She always has one last punch left in her. But she also knows that all fighters need time to rest. She doesn’t let her ego get in the way of a stable and healthy attitude. Because you know what happens once a woman accepts that fighters also fall sometimes? She becomes undefeatable.
A badass woman is kind. She treats people with integrity and respect. Because that’s what every human deserves. She understands that nobody’s life is easy. She has experienced a lot of struggles in life, so she knows the importance of genuine kindness. Small smiles, gentle words, and compassionate actions. They go a long way.
She believes that she is beautiful in the body she was given. With the face she was given. With the gifts she was given.
“If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: Who cares?”
—Tina Fey
She likes to show this off. The Goddess’ gift to her. And she does it for herself.
This looks different for each woman. It could be a night out in a sexy black dress. Using a hell lot of witty remarks because she’s at the top of her game today. Busting out badass music and dancing sensually in an empty room. Going after that job she knows she can kill.
In my case, it’s switching on a playlist I’ve titled “Badass Moi.” Listening to Lizzo and Cardi B (Spanish songs also do the job!) while I get ready for the day. I even bust some moves in front of the mirror with a cheeky smile. It creates a magnetic space that entrusts within me a mindset to slay the day. Call it mischievous, egoistic, or sassy. Call it whatever the hell you want. Cuz when I walk out that door, I believe I’m the most powerful woman on this planet.
And I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything.
So brave souls, do it. Give yourself space to let out your badass side more often. Free that repressed feminine side that wants to be bold, wild and untamed.
She knows how powerful she is; how beautiful she is. She just wants you to feel it.