MSCollective — Good Girl Conditioning

I'm Not Who You Think I Am

• Megan Soncksen • Authenticity • Conditioning • Deconditioning • Good Girl Conditioning • Identity • Mental Health • People Pleasing • Personas • Self Discovery • Women's Stories

I'm Not Who You Think I Am

What happens when you aren’t who everyone thinks you are? I remember back to my high school days, even though I’m sure it started before that, but high school is a conscious memory of feeling: Always be the best and never get in trouble as it would reflect badly on me and my family, reputation is everything.  Interestingly, I don’t ever remember being explicitly taught this, so don’t think there is a villain in this story. No memories of my parents pressuring me to perform or be perfect. It felt more like a self-imposed standard I was always aware of...

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The Good Girl

• Megan Soncksen • Authenticity • Body Autonomy • Conditioning • Consent • Deconditioning • Good Girl Conditioning • Mental Health • Motherhood • People Pleasing • Personal Essay • Raising Daughters • Self Discovery • Women's Stories

The Good Girl

Do you remember a moment as a kid when you learned it’s best to be The Good Girl? I can’t pinpoint exactly when that happened for me. Maybe that’s my foggy memory of childhood, or maybe it was so subtly conditioned into me that it would be impossible to narrow the moment down to one instance? My daughter and I decided to grab supper and her pick for the night was the local small-town bar and grill. She's 9, and giving her more authority in decisions is something I've been intentional about. This is a place where most folks know...

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Silence Is

• Megan Soncksen • Authenticity • Conditioning • Deconditioning • Feminism • Good Girl Conditioning • Identity • Men's Accountability • Mental Health • Misogyny • Rape Culture • Sexual Violence • Women's Rights • Women's Stories

Silence Is

We can be mad, rage, disgusted at the manosphere. But what are we actually going to do about it? Another family chat at the kitchen table about no means no, boundaries, being brave to stand up for others. The media spotlight shining on the horrific acts of men to women tells me it's time to talk about this. Again. I’m not fooled, it won’t be the last time. We educate ‘till we are blue in the face. We provide resources and support.We hold them accountable for their actions. After the fact. Educating - after the fact.Supporting - after the fact.Accountability...

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