There are structures in life that militate against us. These are distortions based on stereotyping, as well as limiting gender constructs that are based rather on a cookie-cutter model of humanity. These all concern feminine gender performance, which they oversee and serve to evaluate. These structures, it is important to point out, are not necessarily overtly sexist, but they are nonetheless sexist to the degree that they compel onlookers to judge women on how we appear and on our demeanour, (such trifling matters), rather than on what we say. And even when we are very clear about what we mean, what we say will still be distorted, in order to fit other people's stereotypes about what it is possible for us to mean within the existing ideological limits of gender stereotyping.
It is as there was an already existing silhouette of a woman sketched out on a piece of paper. Others then take on the role of monitoring you, to see how much of your energy takes you outside the lines of this pre-existing silhouette, and how much remains within those lines. To the degree that you do, say or think anything that takes you outside of these established boundaries, your career will be penalised, and your behaviour will be socially censured. Stay inside the lines, though, and you might just be okay, although you will not have much of a spark, and will be unlikely to say, do, or think anything that could be objectively considered very creative. You will certainly be living your life in close conformity with the existing structures of reality -- but you will be very boring!
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