The "Feminine Energy" Trend Can F**k All The Way Off

"How to tap into your divine feminine."

If I hear that phrase one more time, I might actually scream.

I'm sure you're familiar with this recent social media craze. The "feminine energy" trend is all over my For You Page, highlighting women who offer tips on tapping into their so-called "true femininity". It hides behind a mask of softness and romanticization, but at its core, is deeply rooted in misogyny.

Now don't get me wrong -- I can see the initial appeal. At first, it seems fun to watch content made by women, for women. The videos look aesthetically pleasing and lighthearted, giving off a calming vibe. However, this is a ruse meant to hide the message that is actually being sent -- that women need to resort back to stereotypical, structured gender roles.

This trend reinforces the idea that feminine energy equates to being quiet, passive, agreeable, soft, and submissive, and that masculine energy means being loud, assertive, decisive, and dominant. These ideas are harmful and rely entirely on gender essentialism.

Let's be clear: feminine energy - at its core - doesn't actually exist. It's not a thing. At least not in the "rules-based" way that it is being sold in these videos. "Feminine energy" is just whatever energy you want to give off -- not the bullshit rules that they're trying to feed you. By telling you how to be in your feminine energy, they are setting parameters for what feminine energy is (hint: this is just another way to tell women what to do and how to be).

This trend is simply a way to rebrand submission to these sexist roles and ideologies. It shames women who don't abide by these stereotypes, trying to reduce the number of them who are loud, opinionated, and direct. It shames women whose goals have nothing to do with attracting men or being in relationships with men. It shames women who don't wear makeup or "modest clothing". It shames women who don't want to rely on a man for financial support. It shames women who don't want to live their lives in a way that increases their chances of being chosen by a man.

In addition to this, the resurgence of this trend has also resulted in an increase of "trad wife" content, which is just another painfully sexist trend that repackages misogyny as liberty. They provide a false sense of purpose and identity that is severely damaging. 

Here's the truth: -- it's not liberation if someone is telling you exactly how to act.

The creation of these trends feels like stepping backwards and undoing the work that so many women have put in towards gender equality and women's rights. It's frustrating. It's disappointing. And it makes me sad that social media is being used this way in 2025.

Being a woman should never be performative. In fact, it shouldn't be anything other than what you want it to be. I have slowly started to block any creators who peddle these sexist messages, and I encourage you to do the same.

Until next time,

Pisces Ponderings ♓