Busy Philipps Has Some Pretty Epic Things to Say About Changing the World

The actor, best-selling author of This Will Only Hurt a Little, and women’s-rights advocate is on a slow and steady mission to change the world, one Instagram story at a time. (Proof: Busy Philipps Had the Best Response After Being Mom-Shamed for Her New Tattoo)

On Finding Her (Feminist) Path:

“Some people have a clear understanding of their purpose early in their lives. Mine developed slowly. In the last several years, I’ve realized how important feminism is to me, as well as fighting for equality of women of color and transgender women.”

I’ve become much more aware in the last several years; through the process of writing my own book and going through my own personal experiences as a woman in this particular time in life and seeing how that’s affected who I’ve become and how that’s affected other women. I’m already starting from a place of privilege and things have been pretty rotten for me, so I can’t even imagine how much more difficult it is for other people in this world. But I have to try—that’s the conclusion I’ve come to.

For me, a big part of it is becoming a parent and all that it has entailed—seeing your kids through the lens of the world and wanting for them something better for them. Especially having girls. Again, I have children born immediately into privilege and I still think there’s such a great deal of work to be done for all women. I want them to be aware of that and to be a part of changing the system." (See: How Busy Philipps Is Teaching Her Daughters Body Confidence)

When The World's Injustices Get Overwhelming:

“It can feel incredibly overwhelming right now—the environment, the patriarchy, understanding how to be an ally, so many things. It can feel paralyzing, but if you focus on whatever you are capable of (in whatever way you can use your talents and abilities), that's how real change comes about. It’s not just showing up to vote every two years and then every four years. It’s all the other stuff in between.

I’ve been holding on to this sentiment from the Talmud: You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. So I just keep going. I have no shortage of energy. I can go for days. And I do, which is great because we have a lot of work to do.”

Why Sharing On Social Matters:

“Look, I know it’s the internet, but I truly believe that we change minds and hearts through personal connection and storytelling. I’m willing to share as much as I can in the hope that maybe it will help someone think of mental health differently or understand more about the nuances in a woman’s right to choose or witness the realities of marriage and raising kids.

For me personally, sharing myself, my feelings, anxieties, struggles, and wonderful happy moments with this community that’s built around me has been incredibly empowering and, for the most part, it's filled me with a lot of hope for the future.

Also, I don’t know of any other way to be! I’ve tried. I can’t. I’m an unfiltered human.” (