I’ve been thinking a lot about role models lately. Specifically, female role models and the impact they’ve had on my life—and probably yours too, whether you realize it or not. It’s something we don’t always stop to think about, but when you do, it’s… kind of amazing, honestly. The way someone’s story, their perseverance, their choices—big or small—can stick with you. Like, it plants a seed, and suddenly you’re out here, years later, making decisions based on the inspiration you didn’t even realize you absorbed.

And the thing is, these role models don’t have to be, like, celebrities or historical figures, right? Sure, someone like Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Malala Yousafzai comes to mind when we talk about women who inspire. And they’re incredible, obviously. But sometimes, it’s someone closer to home. A teacher, an older sister, even a friend who just… handles life with a kind of grace or strength that makes you pause and think, “Wow. I want to be like that.”

For me, one of the first role models I can remember was my grandmother. She wasn’t famous. She didn’t write books or win awards or anything like that. But she worked hard. She raised five kids at a time when the world wasn’t exactly kind to women trying to do it all. And she just—she made it work, you know? I remember watching her cook these huge meals for the family and thinking, “How does she just know how to do this? How does she manage everything?” And then I realized, later, it wasn’t magic. It was grit. It was experience. It was learning as she went.

And that’s the thing. Female role models don’t have to be perfect. Actually, the ones who are a little flawed, who stumble and then pick themselves back up—they’re the ones I think we connect with the most. Because we can see ourselves in them. Like, OK, they don’t have it all figured out either, but they’re still out here doing the thing. That’s inspiring.

And then there’s this idea that role models don’t have to live in your time. Like, have you ever read about someone from history and just thought, “How did you do that?” I was reading about Harriet Tubman recently, and I’m sitting there thinking, “This woman risked her life—repeatedly—to save others. She could’ve just saved herself and lived a quiet life, but no. She chose to go back. Over and over.” And it hit me—what am I doing in my life that’s even half as brave? It makes you think about your own potential, doesn’t it?

But here’s the thing: inspiration doesn’t always have to be huge and overwhelming. Sometimes it’s subtle. Like seeing someone at work who stands up for themselves in a meeting. Or a mom at a park who’s patient with her kids when they’re having a meltdown. It’s not about putting someone on a pedestal—it’s about recognizing the strength, the resilience, the kindness in everyday moments.

So yeah, if you’re feeling stuck, if you’re not sure what to do next, just look around. Who’s doing something that makes you pause and think? That’s inspiration. That’s a role model. And sometimes, that’s all you need to take the next step.