01/10/2025
Harnessing Feminine Power Through Wicked Blog Series
Amanda Oden, Women Centered Coach, Life Transformation Facilitator
What does it mean to embrace your true power? For women seeking to uncover their inner strength and transform their lives, the journey often involves confronting fears, rewriting narratives, and daring to dream again. This blog series draws inspiration from Wicked, the Broadway and Movie phenomenon, and its central character Elphaba—a figure who embodies the struggle and triumph of stepping into one’s full potential.
Using key moments, characters, and themes from Wicked, we’ll explore what it means to manifest feminine power in a world that often undermines or misunderstands it. From the vulnerability of dreaming to the courage it takes to leap into the unknown, this series offers reflections and tools to help you embrace your unique story and move toward your highest aspirations. Each entry unpacks a vital lesson, connecting Elphaba’s journey with the experiences and challenges women face at all stages of life.
Here’s what you can look forward to in this empowering series:
Dreaming: Exploring why dreams can feel painful and how to reconnect with your aspirations.
Fear and Power: Understanding how fear of differences can corrode our potential and keep us from owning our power.
The Dance of Relationships: Discovering the dynamics that shape our growth and identity through connection.
The Leap and Beyond: Overcoming barriers, rewriting narratives, and soaring into new possibilities.
Through these entries, you’ll find inspiration to reflect on your journey, practical tools for growth, and encouragement to step into your fullest expression of feminine power. Together, we’ll uncover the magic in your story and celebrate the moment you, too, start your joyride.
"Don’t Dream Too Far": What Elphaba in Wicked Teaches Us About Women’s Struggles with Dreaming
Amanda Oden, DVM
Women Centered Life Transformation Coach and Group Facilitator
Elphaba’s haunting words in the song I’m Not That Girl from the musical Wicked capture a deeply resonant truth about the pain of dreaming. Her lyrics, "Don’t dream too far, don’t lose sight of who you are, don’t remember that rush of joy," articulate the hesitation, heartbreak, and vulnerability that can accompany the act of allowing oneself to hope. For women of all ages, these lines embody the emotional and psychological barriers that arise when considering what they truly want in life.
Elphaba’s reluctance to dream mirrors the lived experiences of countless women who feel stuck in roles that don’t fulfill them. These women often grapple with the fear that dreaming is not only futile but actively harmful. Let’s unpack how Elphaba’s journey reflects this struggle, and why dreaming—while painful—is still worth pursuing.
The Pain of Dreaming When You Feel You’ve Done It All
At different stages of life, women may feel they’ve reached certain milestones: advancing in careers, raising children, building relationships, or fulfilling societal expectations. Yet, this sense of achievement can sometimes give way to discontent and a longing for something more. They may look around and wonder why these accomplishments haven’t brought the satisfaction they expected. This discontent is amplified by societal messaging that suggests certain dreams are impractical or unrealistic, depending on their age or stage in life.
Elphaba’s words, "Don’t remember that rush of joy," capture this internal conflict. For many women, remembering what once brought joy—a creative passion, a long-forgotten dream, or even a sense of freedom—can feel like reopening a wound. It’s not that they don’t know what they want; it’s that wanting feels too painful when the path to achieving it seems blocked by responsibilities, societal expectations, or fear of failure.
Dreaming Can Feel Dangerous
"Don’t dream, don’t start. Dreaming only wounds the heart," Elphaba sings, embodying a sentiment many women share: the fear that dreaming will only lead to disappointment. Women often face what researcher Brené Brown in her TED Talk on The Power Of Vulnerability, calls the "vulnerability hangover." Dreaming requires courage, but exposing oneself to potential failure—especially when the stakes feel high—can feel overwhelming.
Moreover, many women have internalized the idea that their dreams must take a backseat to practicality. Balancing careers, caregiving, societal expectations, or the weight of unspoken judgments leaves little room for self-reflection or exploration. The act of dreaming feels indulgent, even irresponsible, when weighed against the needs of others or the demands of their current reality.
The Psychological Barriers to Dreaming
Elphaba’s declaration, "I’m not that girl," reflects an identity crisis familiar to women at various life stages. They may have internalized limiting beliefs shaped by years of external pressures:
Fear of risk: Starting over or pursuing a dream feels daunting after investing years in a particular career, relationship, or lifestyle.
Role overload: Women often juggle multiple responsibilities, from professional demands to caregiving, leaving little energy for personal aspirations.
Cultural conditioning: Many women have been socialized to prioritize others’ needs over their own, leading to a loss of connection with their true desires.
Elphaba’s refrain, "I’m not that girl," resonates because it’s a defense mechanism. It’s easier to believe that the dream is unattainable than to confront the possibility of failure or rejection.
Why Dreaming Still Matters
While Elphaba’s song captures the pain of dreaming, her story—and the stories of many women—doesn’t end there. In Wicked, Elphaba eventually defies her own doubts, embracing her identity and pursuing her dreams despite the odds. Her journey offers a powerful reminder that dreaming is a radical act of hope, one that can lead to transformation even in the face of fear.
For women of all ages, reconnecting with dreams isn’t just about achieving a specific goal; it’s about reigniting a sense of purpose and joy. It’s about asking, "What if?" and allowing that question to open doors to possibilities that once seemed closed. This process doesn’t require abandoning responsibilities or making drastic changes overnight. It begins with small steps:
Reflection: Journaling prompts like, "What did I love doing as a child?" or "What would I do if I weren’t afraid?" can help women reconnect with their passions.
Experimentation: Trying new hobbies, exploring creative outlets, or taking a class can reignite curiosity and joy.
Support: Seeking out communities, mentors, or women-centered coaches who encourage dreaming can provide the validation and accountability needed to take the next step.
Conclusion
Elphaba’s I’m Not That Girl is a poignant anthem for women who’ve felt the sting of unfulfilled dreams. It reflects the pain of wanting more and the fear that it’s too late to achieve it. Yet, her journey reminds us that dreaming—while risky and vulnerable—is essential to living authentically. For women of all ages, allowing themselves to dream isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about reclaiming their joy, identity, and hope for the future. So, take heart from Elphaba’s story—and dare to dream, even when it feels impossible. You might just defy gravity.
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