Why Is It So Hard for Women to Celebrate One Another?
We live in a world where women are achieving incredible things like breaking barriers in business, politics, arts, sports, and everyday life. And yet, a recurring question remains, why do women sometimes struggle to celebrate each other’s wins?
The truth is that this challenge doesn’t come from a lack of admiration or respect, it often stems from deeper cultural and social influences that have shaped how women are taught to see themselves and one another.
1. Competition Over Collaboration
From an early age, many women are conditioned to compare themselves to others like how they look, how successful they are, even how they “balance it all.” This constant comparison can turn another woman’s achievement into an unintended trigger for self-doubt. Instead of seeing her success as an inspiration, it can sometimes feel like a spotlight on our own perceived shortcomings.
2. The Scarcity Mindset
Historically, opportunities for women were limited, creating the belief that there’s only so much “room at the table.” When one woman succeeds, others may feel as if their own chances diminish. This scarcity mindset makes it harder to truly celebrate others, even though the reality is that one woman’s win often opens doors for many more.
3. Fear of Diminished Value
Some women hesitate to cheer too loudly for others out of fear that it might downplay their own accomplishments. In environments where women already have to work harder to be recognized, it can feel risky to put someone else’s success on a pedestal.
4. Learned Behavior and Cultural Norms
For generations, women were often pitted against one another, whether in media portrayals, beauty contests, or workplaces. These narratives taught us that rivalry is the norm. It takes conscious effort to unlearn these messages and embrace the truth that celebrating others never diminishes us.
How Do We Change This?
The first step is awareness. Once we recognize these dynamics, we can actively choose a different response.
Shift to Abundance Thinking: Another woman’s success is proof of what’s possible and not a threat to your own journey.
Practice Small Celebrations: Compliment a colleague, share a friend’s accomplishment on social media, or send a simple “I’m proud of you” text. Small acts add up.
Create Safe Communities: Surround yourself with women who encourage, uplift, and celebrate without hesitation. The more we practice together, the easier it becomes.
Reframe Comparison into Inspiration: Instead of asking, “Why not me?” try, “If she can, so can I.”
A Daily Action Plan to Celebrate Women
Here are simple habits you can practice to make celebrating other women part of your everyday life:
Give one compliment a day – It can be about someone’s work, creativity, or energy.
Share another woman’s success – Post about it on social media or mention it in conversation.
Practice gratitude for your circle – Write down the names of three women who inspire you each week.
Check your inner dialogue – When you catch yourself comparing, pause and reframe it into motivation.
Invite collaboration – Ask another woman to partner with you on a project instead of doing it alone.
Be a mentor or a cheerleader – Offer guidance or encouragement to a younger woman starting out.
Celebrate quietly, too – Even if you don’t say it out loud, make it a habit to admire and appreciate women around you.
The Bottom Line
It is hard sometimes for women to celebrate one another but not because we don’t want to. It’s because society hasn’t always shown us how. By unlearning old patterns, embracing collaboration over competition, and practicing daily acts of support, women can rewrite the narrative.
When one woman rises and the rest cheer her on, we all rise.
