The Feminist Gift Guide: For Every Feminist on Your List!
By Emily Scott
Image via Emily McDowell
“Totally Legitimate Feelings” Journal
For: The emotional feminist
Price: $18.00
How many times have we, as women, thought, ‘Nevermind, it probably doesn’t matter’ in regard to our own feelings? Probably all of us.
There is a long-standing history of the gaslighting of women. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, gaslighting is defined by Wikipedia as “a form of psychological abuse in which a victim is manipulated into doubting their own memory, perception, and sanity.”
This practice is familiar to almost every woman, because it happens all the time, and, as far as I can tell, since the dawn of time. Centuries ago, women who were not submissive and pleasant 24/7 were called put into mental hospitals and diagnosed with hysteria. But it didn’t stop there, of course. It happens constantly in modern times as well. A male coworker taking credit for an idea you brought up months ago, and insisting – maybe even truly believing – that it was his, to the point where you wonder if you’re remembering correctly. Or an ex claiming that you had a casual, non-exclusive relationship, when you know you did not agree to that. I personally have experienced an instance in which someone I was dating tried to convince me that we never actually dated. Seriously.
So every once in a while, it’s really nice to remind ourselves that what we feel is valid. This journal, designed by artist Emily McDowell, could be a daily reminder that inside the brain of its owner are “Totally Legitimate Feelings.” Not feelings that are partially legitimate, not feelings that we think are legitimate, but just totally legitimate feelings. Then maybe the next time she worries she’s being irrational, she can feel more assured that her pain and joy are as worthy as anyone else’s. Period.
She’ll Love It If: she is a budding memoirist or compulsive chronicler of her life; she always has a notebook, but can’t bring herself to spend money on a nice, pretty one; she has a mental illness, like anxiety, depression, or OCD.
Buy It Here: Emily McDowell