The Hottest New Motivator: Succeeding Out of Spite
It may be a little unconventional, but it’s working wonders in unprecedented times.
Seething with rage is becoming an increasingly popular catalyst for personal growth and change among Gen Z and millennial women.
Women are rightfully tapping into their anger in response to decades of dismissal and attempts to restrict their rights, from ruthlessly documenting their health issues to revenge quitting their draining jobs.
If you’re curious about why it works and how you channel your own rage into motivation, keep reading—you might just find a way to get ahead of life’s biggest hurdles.
Bad Girls, Grown Women
We've been misled into believing that all anger is “bad” and unbecoming, especially for women.
Growing up, young girls are scolded and warned against even being remotely perceived as “bad,” as if it’s the worst thing they could be. The truth is that the narrative of girls being “nice” no matter what can become dangerous as we develop into adulthood.
That’s because anger is a natural and justified response to injustice, whether it happens on the playground or in your professional career.
From suffragettes to modern-day activists, women have wielded their rage as a catalyst for change. Think of any revolution; it likely started with a spark of defiance.
Learning to accept your humanity, imperfections, and emotions is important. It’s also important to challenge the systems and structures that try to prevent progress and keep women quiet.
Why Spite Works
It’s quite simple why women are using others’ dismissal and doubt to fuel their future aspirations.
The concept that someone is praying on your downfall has become top of mind, thanks to social media. A former coworker, a pathetic ex, a random friend of a friend; the thought that someone is hoping you fail is all the motivation you could need.
On a bigger scale, there could be a public figure or political cause that you simply refuse to
The key to success is to make sure the spite benefits you—not that it actively centers or punishes any specific person directly.
Whether or not your source of spite knows you exist, it’s important to remember that your “why” for wanting better should always be you.
Learn to Love Rebellion
If playing by the rules or others’ expectations didn’t benefit you, why not have some fun with it?
Let their jealousy justify your focus. Use criticism as your caffeine. Reframe rejection as a stepping stone toward your dream life.
Give yourself permission to tap into your inner villain. Take the bait to be (perceived as) “bad” without judging yourself, because in reality, you’re just taking a chance to expand your perspective.
A little rebellion can go a long way in a short amount of time.
