Whenever a woman chooses to live life on her own terms, society is quick to point fingers at feminism. It’s always feminism that “ruined tradition,” that “broke families,” or that “made women lonely and alone.” Rarely do people stop and question the system that forced generations of women to stay in unhappy marriages, give up their dreams, or endure abuse silently. Feminism gets blamed for women choosing freedom, but patriarchy is never blamed for the pain it caused when that freedom didn’t exist.
Recently, a woman posted on X that feminism had convinced women they could have it all, but now they were 40, independent, and crying in very nice, empty apartments.
Feminism convinced women they could have it all. Now they’re 40, independent, and crying in a very nice empty apartment.
— Nandi 💜🤍 (@pallnandi) April 12, 2025
The post quickly went viral, not because people agreed, but because it struck a nerve and invited fierce responses from all corners. Many pointed out that crying in a home you own is still a sign of power and independence, unlike crying in a house where you’re dependent on a man who could take it all away.
Others reminded the poster that having a secure, peaceful space (no matter how empty) is far better than being trapped in a toxic relationship just to avoid loneliness.
Have a look at some of the responses here:
See sis, I’d rather cry in an apartment which I own than in one which I can be kicked out of because the man bought it. https://t.co/4VPA7Nv7Gm
— Shivangi (@Shivangiyadav) April 14, 2025
women, if you have a very nice apartment of your own when you are 40 in this economy, that’s a well played game of life. and the privilege to cry in that apartment? wow https://t.co/XFvBTLFADK
— Resh Susan (@thebooksatchel) April 14, 2025
Funny how people blame feminism for women “crying” in nice apartments, but never blame patriarchy for the women crying in marriages, bedrooms and kitchens they were told would complete them. https://t.co/rjrskPqMFZ
— Maduduzo (@MaduduzoR) April 13, 2025
Can’t tell you how much nicer it is to cry alone once a month while watching a cheesy drama than it is to be regularly getting told off for crying by the man who hurt you in the first place.
And if I get a very nice apartment in 3 years, I will celebrate with tears of joy 😘 https://t.co/I73yzTTjcg
— Aneesa Khatoon (@AneesaKhatoon) April 14, 2025
Atleast she isn’t crying on a cheating or beating husband because she has no where to go and is dependent on him.
At least she doesn’t have a bunch of kids whom she should raise while the man goes out for drinks instead of sharing responsibilities. https://t.co/dUbBQdyu9d
— Rishu (@Manasaavacha) April 14, 2025
40, independent and a house of one’s own to cry at will- behen you just made feminism look sexier than ever. https://t.co/CTbSNYWoPz
— Aatreyee (@aatreyee2) April 14, 2025
Afghan women & girls are being erased from public life, gender based violence & femicide are on the rise, aid cuts are depriving reproductive healthcare, disenfranchised people are being unjustly criminalized and people think feminism is just about romantic relationships. 😔 https://t.co/u4Rpn4FZfA
— Maduna (@TsoRamushu) April 13, 2025
But my apartment is not empty. It’s full of books I actually read, art I love, furniture that I’ve designed myself or precious hand-me-downs, and a view of the sea that reminds me daily I made the right choices. Ice cream for lunch, a sappy romcom for emotional cardio, and… https://t.co/p18DtbW6wW
— Historywali (@historywali) April 15, 2025
Single Women Don’t Die By Hands of violent Partners atleast they have an apartment of their own to cry their heart out Singledom didn’t kill anyone abuse does. https://t.co/ocennrWAsO
— Ambivalent (@MunikaSheoran) April 15, 2025
Women are tired of being shamed for choosing independence over compromise. They’re tired of the narrative that says a woman without a husband is incomplete, but a man without empathy is still “man enough”. They’re choosing themselves, their peace, and their dreams, and if there are tears sometimes, so be it. At least those tears are theirs, not caused by a system that never let them live freely in the first place.