The male dominant world has always placed barriers on women to behave in a particular manner. Do this, don’t do that, watch your language, wear certain clothes, don't wear certain clothes, watch who you mix with; the never-ending barriers don’t seem to ever fall away..

Times have changed and so has the lifestyles and social-behaviours. It’s time for us now to reclaim our individuality, it’s time to let the world know that we are sick and tired of others telling us what to do and what not to do. And when I say this, I speak for all of us (women). We would rather live our life on our own terms and conditions rather than following a set standard of rules and regulation on how should women behave.

Here is my take on some aspects we need to stand up, to have a happy and augmented life:

1. You are beautiful just the way you are

You need not compare yourself to anyone. You are the best when you are yourself and not try to fit in others’ frames of approval. Everyone has their own definition of beauty and it’s important that we are comfortable in our own skin.

2. You shall not try to put down other women

World has been saying this from ages that the greatest enemy of a woman is another woman. When you try to put down other woman it reflects your shallowness and hence your personality. If you don’t like a woman, let it be. You can like or hate whosoever you want. But do not humiliate her. It leads to other people being sympathetic to the one being humiliated.

3. You shall not marry just because your parents want you to

Because after all it’s you, who’s going to live your life and not your parents. Makeup your mind when you want to. Make sure you get the right person which you are comfortable with. And most important, does your heart beat for him? If yes! Go for it.

4. You shall live your life on your own terms without being too concerned about social norms

Society has been following norms established ages ago. This is not the Stone Age anymore. We are living in the modern electronic age. This is the age of opportunities. No one profession is limited to a particular sex. Men and women both are capable of doing anything they want or like. So don’t worry and follow your heart.

5. You shall stand up for the equality of both sexes

Because blaming the society is not enough. US President Obama says, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones, we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” So if you really want yourself to be treated equally, get up and stand for it.

6. You shall wear whatever you want

Do you also like to wear shorts while you walk down the street? Do you also want to feel comfortable while you wear a bikini on the beach, in spite of some perverts staring at you? Then do not worry. It’s all about your comfort and pleasure. Forget bothering about what people will think. Let them do their business and you do yours.

7. You shall not waste your time gossiping

Gossiping is too old fashioned. Why not try reading some interesting books or online shopping or even taking selfies. These things will give you more contentment than gossiping.

8. You shall learn to let go things and not hold on

Would you enjoy carrying a rotten apple with you all the time and roam around with the stinky smell? Or does torturing yourself give you immense pleasure? I don’t think it does. Then why hold on to feelings and emotions beyond their use by date.

I remember a quote by Ajahn Chah, an influential teacher of ‘Buddhadhamma’ in which he says, “If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace”. So let it go as more as you can. You can try exercising to decreases stress hormones and improve your state of mind, focus all your energy on something you can actually control, and use a deep breathing technique.

9. You shall strive to be the best version of yourself

Our true self is who we really are when we discard all the labels and judgments that we have placed upon ourselves. It is who we naturally are without the masks and falsification. Everything apart from that which we claim to be when we say, “This is who I am!” is only a fiction. So show the world, no! Show yourself the best of you.

10. You have enough, you do enough and you are enough

Do not underestimate yourself. Each of us has been given a specific role in our life. So whatever the situation may be just believe in yourself. Doesn’t matter what others expect from you. Just bother about what you expect from yourself.

So women, what are you waiting for? Take control, walk your own path and see how life becomes a bliss.