Spoiler Alert: The Ceiling Wasn’t Built for Us Anyway

You ever notice how women are expected to shatter glass ceilings but somehow come out unscathed? Like, hello?? We’re out here breaking barriers, dodging microaggressions, and negotiating salaries while smiling—and yet, people still ask, “Why aren’t there more women at the top?”

Because the system wasn’t designed for us, babe. But guess what? That doesn’t mean we can’t rewrite the rules and climb our way up without leaving a trail of Band-Aids behind. Let’s talk about how to break through—strategically, powerfully, and on our own damn terms.

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1. Know the Game—Then Flip the Board

First things first: you can’t break through something you don’t understand. The corporate world, business, and even creative industries operate on unspoken rules that were built to favor men (usually white men, let’s be real).

• Ever been talked over in a meeting but suddenly your idea sounds amazing when Chad repeats it?
• Ever been labeled “too aggressive” for being direct, but your male coworker is just “a strong leader”?
• Ever noticed men get promoted based on potential while women have to prove themselves ten times over?

Yeah. That’s the game. But instead of playing it, we learn it—and then we flip the damn board.

How?

• Take up space. Your voice, your ideas, your presence—don’t shrink for anyone. If they interrupt, keep talking.
• Make allies, not just friends. Men have had their good ol’ boys club forever. We need our own power network to pull each other up.
• Don’t wait for permission. If they won’t give you a seat at the table, bring your own (or build a new table entirely).

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2. The “Likeability” Trap is a Scam—Opt Out

Women are taught that we need to be likable to succeed. Soft, agreeable, approachable. But guess what?

🙃 No matter what you do, someone will find a reason to criticize you. 🙃

• If you’re assertive, you’re “too bossy.”
• If you’re kind, you’re “too soft.”
• If you advocate for yourself, you’re “demanding.”
• If you stay quiet, you’re “not leadership material.”

Moral of the story? Stop trying to please everyone.

What to do instead:

🔥 Focus on being respected, not just liked.
🔥 Set boundaries like a CEO. (No, you don’t have to be available 24/7.)
🔥 Say no without over-explaining. “No.” is a full sentence.

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3. Money Talks—So Get Your Coins, Sis

We love empowerment, but we also love getting paid what we’re worth.

Women statistically undervalue themselves, and companies profit off of it every single day. Men negotiate raises 4x more than women do. And when women do ask for more? They’re often penalized for it.

How to Secure the Bag:

• Always negotiate. Even if you’re nervous. Even if you think you “should be grateful.” (You deserve abundance, not scraps.)
• Know your worth—and bring receipts. Keep track of every win, every success, every moment that proves you are indispensable.
• Don’t be afraid to walk away. Sometimes the best negotiation move is realizing you can do better elsewhere.

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4. Lift As You Climb (Because We’re Not Here for Tokenism)

Here’s the thing: breaking the glass ceiling alone is NOT the goal.

We’ve all seen the token woman at the top who pulls the ladder up behind her. Not us. Not in this house.

A feminist win isn’t just personal—it’s collective.

How to Make Real Change:

• Mentor other women. Share your knowledge. Pull people up.
• Pass the mic. Are you in the room where decisions happen? Bring another woman in.
• Advocate for policy changes. Pay transparency, parental leave, flexible work schedules—these things don’t just happen. We demand them.

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5. Self-Care is a Power Move

Burnout is not a badge of honor. Hustle culture lied to you.

Breaking barriers is exhausting, and if you don’t take care of yourself, the system will wear you down. So, let’s make something very clear:

✨ Rest is radical.
✨ Joy is necessary.
✨ You don’t have to “earn” self-care.

Take the vacation. Say no to that extra project. Take naps like the badass CEO you are. Because a burned-out woman doesn’t have the energy to take over the world.

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Final Thoughts: Smash the Ceiling—But Make Sure It Stays Broken

The goal isn’t just to get one woman through—it’s to make sure no one else has to struggle this hard again.

Feminism isn’t just about getting a seat at the table. It’s about redesigning the damn room so that all of us can thrive.

So, grab your metaphorical hammer (or stilettos, we love options) and let’s get to work. The glass ceiling never stood a chance.

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Now Tell Me:

💡 Have you had to fight for your seat at the table?
💡 What’s one move that helped you level up in your career?

Let’s get this convo going in the comments! 🖤✨