ADVERTISEMENT
Article created by: Ieva Pečiulytė

Everybody's problems are different, and they all deserve to be heard, so feminist writer Carina North, who blogs about trauma and recovery, has recently asked women on Threads to list what they believe to be the worst parts of womanhood.

In just a few days, she has received hundreds of honest accounts on rigid social structures, tense interpersonal relationships, and challenging body changes.

As AI slop floods the media, this discussion stood out as an increasingly rare example of genuine reflection and meaningful dialogue. To spare you the hassle of scrolling through everything yourself, we've gathered some of the top insights and invite you to join the conversation.

More info: Instagram | Substack | Threads

#1

Woman reading a book about hard truths women realize, sitting comfortably in a cozy living room setting. Being alone and peaceful is far greater than settling or forcing myself to make something work with someone that isn't my person.

suzypink8214 , Daiga Ellaby/unsplash Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Woman consulting a female doctor in a medical office, representing hard truths women realize and accept in life. That doctors will disregard our concerns and pain tolerance, even if they are a female.

    flamezindabad , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #3

    Woman looking at her reflection in a vintage round mirror, contemplating hard truths women realize in life. That it doesn't matter what I do or accomplish, only how attractive people find me.

    c.adelinejames , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Three women of different ages preparing food together in a kitchen, reflecting life experiences and hard truths women face. That my own parents are upset that I don’t want kids. I am 24 and they keep saying “you’ll change your mind” no I won’t. It’s so annoying. Like I am grown and can make my own decisions about MY OWN body.

    whitegirlspice , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #5

    Two women participating in a serious discussion, reflecting on hard truths women often realize in life. That for a lot of men, once you reach a certain age as a woman, you’re invisible. I sit with many elderly women in hospice, they have stories for days. But only I seem to hear them. I work with women in their late 50s and early 60s, and the lives they have lived are truly, AMAZING. Is this our fate? To only exist to men, during the maiden/ mother phase of life? Half the population ignores women 45+💔

    janellealisefreeman , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Woman discussing health with doctor in consultation room, reflecting on hard truths women realize and accept in life. That nobody cares about our health as much as we do. Including doctors. Every symptom I have is an uphill battle to not be labelled as 'anxious'. Sometimes I feel like we're still in the 1800s and I'll be sent to an asylum before my symptoms are taken seriously :,). Not listening to health care professionals has saved my life and that terrifies me.

    alkalinequinn , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #7

    Man and woman in a serious discussion by a table, reflecting on hard truths women realize and accept in life. No matter how much we succeed, most men will think they're superior by default

    maeganerd , Lala Azizli/unsplash Report

    #8

    A group of young adults discussing ideas around a table in a bright room with bookshelves, illustrating hard truths women realize. You can say something very relevant, honest and well thought, but nobody will truly listen until a man repeats it.

    lawishur , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Professional woman in a blue suit holding a folder, portraying confidence while embracing hard truths women realize in life. I will always be judged based on my body and looks, and it's the first thing men attack when they realise how strong my character is.

    beharleyhappy , A. C./unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Woman reflecting outdoors at sunset, representing hard truths women realize and accept in their lives. That because I didnt have children, im somehow inferior.

    mannic.rogers , Michael T/unsplash Report

    #11

    Three business professionals in formal attire discussing hard truths women realize while working together at a desk with a laptop. The saddest topic 😔
    I can only agree with… literally every single lady here.
    My own truth: no matter how educated and experienced you are, your supervisor (if it’s a man) will always prioritise another man’s opinion and decision.

    neva.evangelina , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Two women discussing health with a medical model of the female reproductive system on the table in a consultation room Gynos will always say and convince others (including women) that we don't feel pain down there.

    cecyk_01 , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #13

    Three women discussing hard truths while working on a laptop in an office with large windows and documents. That women’s jobs and women don’t make the same money as men’s jobs and men.

    shandelle_f , Joao paulo m ramos paulo/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    That no matter how we look, we will get harrased. Men used to always make gross comments about my body and the only reason they stopped is that I gained weight. So now they are making different gross comments about my body. Yay... 😑

    noquelle9 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Woman holding a purple dress in front of a mirror, reflecting on hard truths women realize and accept in life. The fact that I must look a certain way and be feminine to be found attractive by a man. Welp I guess I am not trying anymore and just being unapologetically a gremlin (myself).

    netrunner_xx , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #16

    Two women working together on a laptop in an office, illustrating hard truths women realize and accept in life. That other women can be misogynistic.

    jan.i.s.0ptera , CoWomen/unsplash Report

    #17

    Man with glasses talking on smartphone indoors, representing hard truths women realize and accept in their lives. My mum had to get a man to speak to businesses over the phone to get respect when she was dealing with them. She was a single parent and worked so hard but was never heard.

    donna.cha , Vitaly Gariev/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Woman in gym lifting barbell, focused on strength training, illustrating hard truths women realize and accept. That my body is weaker than a man's and that therefore I will never feel safe. That 40 years of periods and 500+ cycles is somehow not enough.

    klarinette75 , Jonathan Borba/unsplash Report

    #19

    Protesters holding a smash the patriarchy sign, representing hard truths women realize and accept in life. OH another one— instead of listening to the literal billions of women who TELL them what women want, they will always throw that away and take a man’s advice on what women want.
    cuz of course, we’re lying and they know better.

    sanela.estrella , chloe s./unsplash Report

    #20

    Young woman and man in a casual office setting, discussing and exchanging papers, reflecting hard truths women face. Misogyny, internalized misogyny and medical misogyny. To say some.

    cherry_lane79 , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #21

    Two businessmen in suits having a serious discussion in a bright office overlooking city buildings representing hard truths women realize. That I likely will not outlive patriarchy.

    drkatebalestrieri , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Woman teaching children at home, illustrating important hard truths women realize and accept in their lives. That it always will be my fault. because I should have tidied up after them, I should have checked they're OK, I should have known what everyone liked, I shouldn't have spoken out.

    wendal0 , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #23

    Woman reflecting thoughtfully in an office setting, representing hard truths women realize and accept in life. Lots of men will never see us as people. Men can pursue and even marry us and tick the boxes of treating us ok (like you do a pet or appliance) - it doesn’t mean he sees you as a person or is interested in you as a person. Those men are also creating products and making laws and leading institutions while ignoring the needs of half the population - not noticing when we’re not in the room, and happier when we’re not as it’s uncomfortable when not-people speak up.

    how.i.rebuilt.myself , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #24

    Woman inspecting car engine outdoors, representing hard truths women realize and have to accept in life. That most other women underestimate their capabilities. I can’t even recall how many times I have had women in my neighborhood asked me where I take my car in for service and when I tell them that I do it myself they’re completely flabbergasted. I always invite them over to watch and learn how to do with themselves and see how easy it is. Only the really easy stuff: oil changes, brakes, belts, hoses, spark plugs… If I can learn to bake a cake they can learn to change their own oil.

    mjorgenson23 , Curated Lifestyle/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Man and woman with glasses discussing hard truths women realize while working together in a modern office setting One of the hardest ugly truths I’ve had to accept as a woman is having to back up statements with research or a source. I have several instances where I state a fact and a dude will be like, “wait, that can’t be right?” And then I will literally pull the book out that it was from and cite my source and sometimes they’ll be like “ah ok” and other times they’ll want more sources.

    meghankcrozier , Vitaly Gariev/unsplash Report

    #26

    Young woman consulting female doctor in clinic, reflecting on hard truths women realize and accept in life. I will never get proper care from the industrialized healthcare system.

    400yoswampwitch , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Young woman and man sitting at a table outdoors, engaging in a deep conversation about hard truths women realize. I think the scariest one for me is that there very well could be a great, upstanding man who pursues me in earnest and genuinely wants everything I want, but I’ll be so afraid waiting for the other shoe to drop that I’ll ruin it somehow. But I’m working at conquering that fear, and not being the conquered.

    littleballofgiggles , Good Faces/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #28

    Close-up of a couple’s hands with wedding rings over a bouquet, symbolizing hard truths women realize in relationships. The term wife means different things to men and women.

    michelleconnollyglynn , Drew Coffman/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Young woman with hand in hair, looking down thoughtfully, reflecting on hard truths women realize in life. For me it’s the sacrifice I give as a mom a wife a daughter a sister etc. the sacrifice is never seen it feels like

    vi_princessofatl , BĀBI/unsplash Report

    #30

    Woman hiking on a rocky mountain trail with a dog, reflecting on hard truths women realize and accept in life. That not being married with children by a certain age makes you worthless. Oh and that once your 40 or over you've "passed your prime. "

    w.illusion , Elisabeth Jurenka/unsplash Report

    #31

    Two women having a deep conversation in a cozy setting, illustrating hard truths women realize and accept in life. Very little community for us. Men want to sleep with us, other women want to sabotage us.. very few genuine people who don’t have ulterior motives.

    bookaddict3_7 , Esra Korkmaz/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #32

    Two men in stylish blazers having coffee and a serious conversation about hard truths women realize in life. Men don’t LIKE women.
    They like what they signify—a wife, house, kids—signifies success.
    But I don’t think most men genuinely LIKE women.

    lulubelle7676 , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #33

    Woman experiencing stress and frustration at home, illustrating hard truths women realize and accept in life. anything I achieve in life will be downplayed or overshadowed by being pretty.
    i’m so tired of the comments after conversations being:
    “wow you’re *ACTUALLY* really intelligent/funny/nice/wise/etc”— almost is if they’re asking a question & scratching their heads about how there’s an actual brain & person with a life inside of my body.

    sanela.estrella , Getty Images/unsplash Report

    #34

    Woman wearing a headband and sweater, reflecting quietly on hard truths women realize and accept in life. That I was born into a culture that uses the solar calendar and orients time linearly, utterly divorced from nature, literally putting me at fundamental odds with my own biology.
    And it's just accepted, the justice of it not questioned.

    bossamy1 , kevin turcios/unsplash Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT