Why Are Smart Girls So Stupid?

I know what you're thinking, this could go a few ways. But, I have one smart-girl-gone-stupid habit in particular that's been irking me for the last few weeks. And the worst part? I'm one of the worst offenders..


I've recently come into the home stretch of my school year, and with that I've started a new internship. Being the perfectionist, Type A maniac, overachiever, someone who strives for success in anything I do, I am constantly afraid of failing. Of screwing up. Doing something wrong. Starting a new job, or internship (for those of you, like myself, still delaying your entry into the real world), is always stressful. Am I doing this right? How long is my grace period? Why didn't I know how to do this? Isn't anyone going to tell me where to find this? How many times is too many times to ask a question? And on, and on and on (note: for those of you more in touch with reality, please feel free to cut your string of questions in half for greater accuracy). 


Anyways, while I refuse to lump us all in one, I have a friend who can relate. Who goes through the same motions as me. So then I did this, and I totally screwed up. Or, so then I did this instead of this and she wrote me this email correcting me, and I think she's really disappointed..While we both comfort each other by telling the other that these are totally normal mistakes and we're both new at this, etc., it begs the obvious question: why can't we think these logical thoughts for ourselves? Why can't we see the logic that we present to one another? Why can't we think like the smart girls that we are? Why are we, as smart girls, so stupid sometimes?


What it comes down to is really a good thing; taking pride in the way we present ourselves in any situation, whether we have all the pieces of the puzzle or we're trying to work with the ones we have and expect, (unreasonably) to complete it just as perfectly. Its just not possible, and any smart girl would tell you so. 

I see this as a great challenge that lies ahead, unfortunately not just for me, but for smart girls everywhere. To condition ourselves to be the smart girls who don't focus solely on trying to do everything perfect, without any error or fault, the first time; but to be the smart girls who think smart, act smart, use logic and own the confidence that we've earned these last 18 years of working hard.  


So next time you think about beating yourself up over this, that, or something else no one will remember tomorrow, just think.. what would a smart girl do?