Community Wisdom: Advice from Women We Admire

Do you have a piece of advice you live by? Or words of wisdom that guide you? Often, those clever, game-changing learnings are passed on to us from the smart women in our lives – or women in wider society who just seem to understand how the world works – and what we can do to make it better.

A better world for women is about equality of opportunity for all. A world where we celebrate the economic, cultural and political achievements of women to make positive change. And that’s what International Women’s Day this March is all about. 

To mark International Women’s Day 2022, we asked our community, The Collective, for their favourite advice from the strong women in their lives and women they admire. Whether it was advice about skincare, relationships, ambition or happiness, nothing was off-limits. So, from cleansing before bed, to taking risks and brewing a cuppa when the going gets tough, your answers made us stop, think – and smile. 

Take a look and see if any of it sounds familiar. We’re all surrounded by incredible women. Let’s not forget that and raise each other up every day.

Lindsey: A woman at work once said to me, “Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping someone else.” This is exactly how self-care works. We need to invest in our well-being before we can help others. That really stuck with me. She also said, ‘If in doubt, say nowt’ and that’s a rule I’ve tried to stick to!

Courtney: My nana always says, “Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened” and that if you hear the birds outside your bedroom window on a morning be grateful as you’ve lived to see another day. She mostly said this to my grandad who complained a lot about the birds!

Tamsyn: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” Hellen Keller

Kershia: My mum says to always do what makes you happy and not to worry about what others think.

Emma: My Nan always used to say to me, “You’ll never be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s ok.” It’s always stayed with me and it’s so true. She taught me from a young age that it’s ok to be uniquely and unapologetically myself. It’s something we should all live by in a world that can be so toxic and make us feel like we aren’t good enough.

Laura: A wonderful midwife told me, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” She was so right! 

Sarah: My Mum always taught me to look after my skin and not to sleep in my makeup! Thankfully I’ve listened to her on this one and now have lovely skin! 

Nadine: The best advice I was given as a child from my grandma. It was always to treat others how you wish to be treated. Even when they seem down, we don’t know what has come their way. Always remain a kind soul.

Stephanie: My mum always says the best things and being on this Skin + Me journey together with her is great. She’s my absolute bestie, my partner in crime and my idol. It’s hard to choose from just one wise thing she says! 

Suz: Remember that someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business.

Charli: That life is short so take risks and don’t take anything too seriously. Perspective is everything.

Julie: Don’t make decisions based on those who will be disappointed by that choice; instead on whether or not you will disappoint yourself.

Daniella: It’s probably either, “ne’er cast a clout til May is out” or “a cup of tea solves everything” from my nanny – who took her own teacup with her wherever she went!

Rachel: Don’t be afraid to use your voice.

Nire: My gran’s advice was “always have your own rainy day fund set aside – and don’t tell your other half about it!”

Amber: I was once told that how others treat you is a statement about them, and that’s always stuck with me.

Joanna: My mum always said, “You can’t be offended by the opinions of people you don’t respect.”

Maria: You cannot make others change – you can only change yourself.

Jenalyn: My mum has given me harsh advice during my divorce – you deserve what you tolerate.

Rachel: Wear SPF, be consistent and a higher percentage of concentrated active ingredients isn’t always better.

N.B Some quotes have been edited lightly for length and clarity. Thanks for all your contributions. 

One of our current Charity Partners is Women’s Aid.