Last night, I started second guessing myself…well, more specifically, the message I’m trying to share through Willingness Within. I somehow got myself thinking that this brand was telling women they needed to be stay at home moms. I started spiraling…how could I push that message when I don’t know what God’s plan for their life is? What if God wants a woman to pursue a singing career to share His word, or become a teacher to teach His values to our youth, or an artist to depict His love? I, myself, feel called by God to be an author and to bring women together. But then I realized that’s not my message at all.
Willingness Within was created to empower and encourage the new generation of Homemakers. One of the key words being “new”. I don’t want to set women back. I don’t want to take away women’s rights or oppress women in any way. I had momentarily forgotten that I was trying to redefine the term Homemaker.
When people hear the word Homemaker they instantly think of an oppressed , 1950’s housewife. That’s what I’m trying to change. I’ve personally felt judgement when telling people that I want to be a Homemaker, so I’m sure other women get the same reaction.
We grew up in a time where masculinity was glorified and leaning into femininity was considered uncool. People think you’re giving up on yourself if you want to be a stay at home mom. Other women are quickest to judge a Homemaker…they must either momentarily forget about their women empowerment movement…you know, the one where we don’t judge other women and are told to uplift each other? Somehow, it’s become acceptable to tare down women who have a different definition of success…one that doesn’t include climbing the corporate ladder.
The goal of Willingness Within is to redefine the term Homemaker so that women feel confident making the decision to be one. Our definition of a Homemaker is a woman who prioritizes her home over herself (“home” including her family).
Therefore, being a Homemaker doesn’t mean you can’t have a job…it’s actually the opposite. If your family needs you to have an income, of course you should work. But if you’re selfishly living a high lifestyle in sacrifice of your family’s wellbeing, that’s not being a Homemaker. A Homemaker is not selfish or lazy. She has willing hands and puts her home first.
It’s shocking that any woman could refute that way of living, but in a world that glorifies selfishness, it’s a controversial concept. It takes courage in today’s world to proudly and openly tell people you’re a Homemaker. That’s why The Diary of Rosalie Shepherd was written. A novel that takes you through the raw emotions of changing your mind and learning how to become a Homemaker, The Diary of Rosalie Shepherd provides encouragement and validation when it feels hard to open up to the world.
Being a Homemaker is hard. It’s not easy to put others before yourself. Selfishness is a very difficult trait to get rid of, but you can do it. Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement and understanding, and that’s where we come in.
Take heart, Homemaker…you’ve got this.