Modern Day “Bicycle Face”

I hope the first half of 2024 has been good to you and filled with moments of growth and self-discovery.

The other day, I watched an incredible commencement speech that blew my mind.

Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and author of Brave, Not Perfect, gave her eye opening take on “imposter syndrome.”

She spoke on something many of us grapple with—imposter syndrome. You know, that nagging doubt that you're not quite good enough and the fear that someone might eventually "expose" you?

Saujani takes her audience back to the 1890's, when the “medical” phenomenon of “Bicycle Face,” made it's way into society.

Bicycle Face– described as “hard, clenched jaw and bulging eyes… usually flushed… and always with an expression of weariness,”– was used as a tactic to discourage women from the activity.

To men, bicycles and the ability that it gave women to be mobile and self-sufficient threatened the status quo of the male hierarchy.  

Thus, they invented “bicycle face” to “put women back in their place.”

TLDR: Imposter syndrome is the modern day bicycle face. It is not an individual problem that each of us needs to “fix.”

It is an insidious fallacy that has permeated our society to question and doubt ourselves and hold us back.

My love, you always have and always will be ENOUGH.

You are valuable and your ideas are impactful… even on the days you don't feel like it.

You've got this, and I'm right here with you, every step of the way.

And remember, when you're ready to take a step towards aligning what you do with what you believe, our Growth Expansion Session is here to guide you. Let's map out your path together!