Raising The Princess After Her Death

Okay, picture this: You're scrolling through Insta (as one does), and you stumble upon a perfectly curated profile. Think: ethereal lighting, minimalist aesthetic, captions that sound like they were ripped from a self-help book. This person is obviously living their best life. But then, you see a post about their therapist. Suddenly, the flawless facade cracks a little, doesn't it?

It got me thinking about this weird societal pressure we have to be constantly "ascending," always leveling up. We're obsessed with becoming the best versions of ourselves. What if, though, that "best version" is actually... dead? Metaphorically, of course! Bear with me.

I'm talking about the death of the princess archetype. The idea that women should be passive, beautiful, and waiting to be rescued. We’re told, subtly or not so subtly, to embody a certain level of purity, innocence, and fragility. A damsel in distress. But what happens when you realize that princess is, frankly, a pain in the butt? What happens when you decide to actively murder her?

Well, then comes the fun part: the aftermath. The "raising the princess after her death" stage. And let me tell you, it's a messy, beautiful, and utterly necessary process.

Why Kill the Princess? (Seriously?)

Let's be real: the princess archetype is exhausting. Think about all the energy spent maintaining that image! The constant self-monitoring, the fear of stepping out of line, the pressure to be agreeable and demure. It's a full-time job! And honestly, who has time for that?

Boldness warning: Because here's a not-so-secret secret: the princess archetype is inherently limiting. It restricts your potential, your voice, your ability to truly be yourself. It tells you to be small when you were meant to be expansive. No thanks.

Think of all the stories we’ve grown up with. From Snow White to Sleeping Beauty, the princess's power is entirely dependent on someone else. A prince, a fairy godmother, whatever. She’s a reactive character, not an active one. We’re not trying to minimize the importance of these narratives, but these are stories that come from a different time, so they reflect the culture of their time. We, as a society, have evolved since then.

The Funeral: Grieving the Loss of…What, Exactly?

So, you've decided to off the princess. Congratulations! Now comes the weird part: grieving. You might not think you need to grieve the death of an archetype, but trust me, you do. You're mourning the loss of a perceived identity, the expectations that were placed upon you, the path you thought you were supposed to take. It's okay to feel sad, confused, or even a little bit lost.

Important reminder: There will probably be moments when you miss the simplicity of being a princess. The perceived safety, the comfort of knowing your role. But remember why you chose to kill her in the first place. You deserve more than a fairytale ending dictated by someone else.

Rebuilding the Kingdom: Welcome to You-topia

Now for the fun part! Once the princess is properly deceased and the grieving period is over, you get to rebuild. This is where you define your own rules, create your own kingdom, and decide what you want to be.

What does your “you-topia” look like? Maybe it involves embracing your ambition without feeling guilty. Perhaps it means speaking your mind, even if it’s unpopular. Maybe it means wearing whatever the heck you want and not giving a flying fig what anyone thinks.

Pro-tip: There are no right or wrong answers here. This is your kingdom, baby! Fill it with whatever makes your heart sing. Seriously. Whatever that is. More books? Cats? Competitive cheese sculpting? Go for it.

The Messy Middle: Imperfect Progress is Still Progress

Let's be clear: "raising the princess after her death" isn't a linear process. There will be setbacks, moments of doubt, and times when you feel like you're stumbling around in the dark. That's okay! This is life. There will be moments where you revert back to those old princess behaviors, and that's completely normal. The key is to recognize it, forgive yourself, and keep moving forward.

Real talk: We all have those days where we feel like we're failing. The important thing is to be kind to yourself and remember that you're in charge of your own narrative.

So, go forth and embrace the messy, glorious, and utterly liberating journey of "raising the princess after her death." The kingdom you build will be all the more magnificent because it's uniquely yours.