10 things graceful women never do (so you shouldn’t either)
Do the names Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, and Michelle Obama ring a bell? They should, at least if you’ve been on this planet for the last 50 years. These ladies are great examples of what we call “graceful women.”
What exactly makes them graceful? Well, aside from being poised and elegant, they also have inner strength and resilience, which are all traits of graceful women.
But just as grace is about the things they do, it’s also about what they never do, which is what I’ll be talking about in this article.
If being graceful is something you aspire to, then by all means, read on!
1) They never judge others
The first thing you should know about graceful women is that they are non-judgmental. They have heaps of empathy and understanding, which is why it often feels good to be in their presence.
They realize that everyone is going through something and that they have their own unique experiences and perspectives.
So, this gives them the patience and emotional bandwidth to deal even with all kinds of people, even difficult ones.
That’s not something everyone can do!
If you think you’ve got a judgmental streak in you, that’s all right. It’s never too late to fix it.
Start by being open-minded and practicing acceptance. Be aware of your thoughts and work to overcome your biases.
And don’t forget to listen! Sometimes, just the act of mindfully listening to others is enough to make us see things from their perspective.
2) They never gossip
Another thing that you won’t find graceful women doing is gossiping.
Let’s face it – gossiping can be really tempting! I’m pretty sure we’ve all participated in some delish gossip at one point in our lives.
But be careful not to make it a habit. Gossiping is one of the most destructive things you can do, and it can easily turn from harmless fun to actually damaging someone’s reputation and hurting their feelings.
That’s not very graceful, is it?
Remember this tried-and-tested pearl of wisdom – if you have nothing nice to say, it’s better to say nothing at all.
If you want to be a graceful woman, it’s time to cross off gossiping from the list of things you like doing.
I know gossiping can be tough to quit, but you can try these tactics to let go of it:
- Pay attention to what you say
- Avoid discussing others’ personal lives or spreading rumors
- Change the topic
- Excuse yourself from the situation
- Speak up and say, “I don’t feel comfortable discussing this.”
3) They never compare themselves to others
Just as it’s never right to gossip about other people, it’s also never right to compare ourselves to them.
That’s just a recipe for unhappiness and can easily make you feel small and inadequate. Why would you do that to yourself?
See, one of the aspects of living with grace is kindness. Not just to others, but to yourself, too.
Graceful women understand that each person is unique, so they focus on their own journey instead of comparing themselves to others.
They celebrate their accomplishments, and they don’t let others’ successes diminish their own.
If you’ve been letting comparison steal your joy, it’s time to stop it.
Look at your own strengths…see how good you already are?
And think about what you have…see how much it already is?
Be kind to yourself. And remember, you are enough.
4) They never play the victim
Ah, the victim game. This is another thing graceful women never do.
I once had a co-worker who had this game locked and loaded all the time. I tell you, it was exhausting.
And definitely not graceful.
The thing with playing the victim is that it’s such a negative outlook that drains the energy out of everyone around you.
And unfortunately, playing the victim does make you the victim – of your own refusal to take accountability.
When you’re always blaming someone else or your circumstances for your problems, you’re actually limiting your ability to grow. You’re not learning the right things from the challenges in your life.
That’s a shame. Because to live life with grace, you first have to own it. You have to understand that no one else is responsible for your life except you.
Otherwise, you can’t grow to your fullest potential!
5) They never stop learning
Speaking of growth brings me to this next point – graceful women have a thirst for knowledge and growth and never stop learning.
It’s all about having a positive and optimistic attitude toward life and believing that you can learn and grow from every experience.
And another thing – for them, success isn’t just about reaching a goal, it’s also about the journey and the learning process.
So, even if the going gets tough, they have an expansive mindset that allows them to approach life with joie de vivre and resilience.
So, be fearless – step out of your comfort zone and try new things! Embrace that growth mindset, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
Remember, it’s not just about reaching the destination, but the scenery along the way, too!
6) They never give up on their dreams
The great thing about having a growth mindset is that it naturally gives you the determination and persistence to keep reaching for your goals.
You’ll never find a graceful woman saying, “Oh, it’s too hard, I’ll never get it right!” That’s a defeatist attitude that doesn’t sit well with them.
And one more thing that fuels them – they understand that their dreams and aspirations give their lives meaning and purpose.
They have a clear picture of what they want to achieve, and they work tirelessly towards making their dreams a reality.
So keep pushing forward, whatever your dream is. As long as you’re willing to put in the hard work and discipline, you’ll get there. And with lots of grace, to boot!
7) They never hold grudges
You know what’s another energy-draining habit? Holding on to grudges.
This is something graceful women don’t do. They know that holding grudges simply weighs you down with resentment and bitterness, and it’s just negativity that doesn’t serve you.
Graceful women understand the power of forgiveness, even when the other person doesn’t deserve it. They choose to let go of negative emotions and move forward with a positive attitude.
After all, when you say “live life with grace,” it means walking with a lighter heart that’s filled with joy and gratitude no matter the circumstances!
8) They never compromise their values
Do you know what you stand for in life? Are you clear about what you value most?
Then you probably have more grace than you think.
You see, graceful women have strong values and principles that they uphold in all areas of their lives. They don’t compromise their values, even when it may be difficult or unpopular.
Integrity is not just an aspiration for them; they really live it in both the small and big things.
Whenever I see a woman who is really sincere and authentic, I always think, now there’s a woman who’s living life with grace and purpose!
9) They never settle
Oh yes, they never settle.
Here’s the thing – graceful women know their worth and value and don’t settle for anything less than they deserve.
They have high standards and expectations, and they don’t compromise on them, whether it’s in their career, relationships, or personal life.
If they do find themselves in situations where they’re not being treated with the respect they deserve, they’ll walk away (remember when Princess Diana did this and said goodbye to the royal life?).
No, they are willing to wait for the right opportunity or person that aligns with their values and goals. That’s why you won’t catch them getting stuck in toxic relationships!
10) They never forget to show gratitude
Finally, I must discuss one common thread in the lives of all graceful women that walk the earth – gratitude.
How do you continue to live life with positivity and hopefulness even if things are really tough?
Simple: always give thanks.
Graceful women appreciate the blessings in their lives, no matter how small or significant they may be. They express their appreciation unfailingly, and that’s something that really radiates grace and joy.
One of my favorite people – my aunt – is one such lady. She’s the one who taught me to keep a gratitude journal and to never ever forget to appreciate what I have.
I’ve seen her go through hard times, but I’ve never seen her run out of gratitude. I truly am so lucky to have such a great role model of grace in my life.
Final thoughts
Grace is a beautiful and powerful quality that can turn a negative outlook about life upside down. If you think life is hard, grace will help you see the beauty in it.
I hope this list has shown you some things to never do if you want to carry yourself with poise and grace.
And let me remind you, it’s not just about how you look or act – it’s also about having inner strength and seeing the silver lining in the storms of your life.
It’s not about being perfect, but about striving to be your best self and living with intention and purpose.