I recently read The Lost Girls by @miss_tiggr as part of a work book club. This particular passage caught my attention. It refers to a study in 2001 by Diane Reay which looks at behaviours of girls in primary school.
This bit caught my attention because I think this is me. (1/?)

Looking back on my childhood, I always seem to be a bit of a & #39;tomboy& #39;. This seemed to be something that carried onto university too. I used to say stuff like "I get on better with boys, I don& #39;t get some girls" and not being "that girl". Being one of the lads. (2/?)

I was basically trying to be the "cool girl". I stereotyped female friendships.
In more recent years, I have realised how wrong this is.
As I& #39;ve gotten older, I have thought more about how society treats women. I have also met women who I can relate to - I was missing that. (3/?)

I& #39;m currently in a WhatsApp group with some wonderful women. This group has helped me a lot during lockdown because they actively listen and validate how I feel.
I used to stereotype female friendships as being gossipy & women being 2 faced, not saying how they really feel. (4/?)

It& #39;s taken me a while to get here and to be honest, I think I probably have more internalised misogyny to work through. However - I& #39;m so thankful for the friendships I have now. They& #39;ve really helped me reflect on who I am and not being afraid to be myself. (5/5)