Amy Schumer is funny, honest, and doesn’t take shit from anyone. She’s the comedian that says what we’re all thinking and that wish we had the balls to say out loud. She owns who she is and doesn’t apologize for it. In a world where girls are pressured into thinking they need to look a certain way, act a certain way and filter what they say, Amy is changing the game for girls to just be who they are.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but growing up I had no idea who I was or who I wanted to be. I fell into a group of friends, as we all do, and conformed to the persona of that group. I went to college and pretty much stayed the same. It was easier to stay in my comfort zone than to actively seek more of the life I wanted to live.
Thankfully, Amy came on the scene and I found my spirit animal. It was like a light turned on in my brain and I realized I don’t need to justify my choices or apologize for who I am. It’s okay if you don’t have your life figured out in your 20s. It’s okay if you get sneaky drunk on wine while you’re live Tweeting the Bachelor. We don’t need to think badly of ourselves for sleeping with the really cute guy from the bar (or Tinder). We can make mistakes, fix them and move forward.
There’s no need to feel shitty about your life because one of your friends is engaged, another is traveling the world and a third is moving up in her career while you’re still trying to figure out what exactly a 401k is – and if you really need one. Social media can paint a picture that everyone is living a glamorous life, but it’s important to remember that it’s only showing what people want you to see. We’re all just trying to figure it out one day at a time.
Amy isn’t the first woman in comedy to resonate with women’s insecurities, and she won’t be the last. But for millennials, she truly hits the nail on the head. She’s opening a dialogue for young women to talk about sex, feminism, careers and body image. It’s refreshing to hear someone talk about these things with a sense of humor. How many girls do you know can talk about their annual Pap and almost sound charming? I’m willing to bet it’s slim to none. We all have vaginas so why aren’t we sharing the struggles together?
Luckily, Amy is leading the discussion so we can all feel a little less alone. She’s spewed a lot of advice we should take to heart as we try to navigate our 20s. Here are a few key words of wisdom:
1. “I am not who I sleep with. I am not my weight. I am not my mother. I am myself. And I am all of you, and I thank you.
2. “My comedy is unapologetic and fearless. Like, sometimes you’ll wind up having condomless sex with someone that you probably shouldn’t. I’m interested in sharing that part of myself unapologetically so that other people will hopefully feel better.”
3. “I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story, I will.”
4. “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say.”
5. “For women, we’re taught to eat less until we disappear. And trained to believe that if you don’t look like everyone else, then you’re unlovable. And men are not trained that way. Men can look like whatever and still date a supermodel. I’m proud of what I said. I think it’s good to see somebody saying: I have a belly. And I have cellulite. And I still deserve love. And to catch the old D. And to not apologize.”
Lately everyone is focused on “Team Taylor” or “Team Kim,” but I stand firm on Team Amy. Instead of pinning girls against each other, she focuses on her own career and success. Isn’t that what we should all be doing – putting a little less focus on your ex’s new girlfriend’s Instagram (I’m super guilty of this) and a little more focus on empowering yourself. There’s enough girl-on-girl crime that happens when you’re growing up – and can continue even into adulthood – so it’s refreshing to see women like Amy who are encouraging girls to root for each other. I hope Amy continues paving the way for a new generation of girls to be just as unapologetic and fearless as she is.
Related Content:
8 Celebs I Want in My Taylor Swift Girl Squad
