Summary: This episode addresses women and girls who grew up without a prominent female figure, sharing the experience of navigating girlhood and identity with a supportive single father. We describe the difficulty of defining femininity through an extended "awkward phase" of copying others, eventually realizing that creating a unique identity requires building a blueprint from scratch through trial and error.  This shows that there is no right or wrong way to be feminine and encourages listeners who feel behind to trust their journey, knowing they are right on time. 

Key Quotes: "Note to self, it's okay to not have it all figured out." 

"I was just borrowing bits and pieces of their personalities, of their looks, of how they act to try to build something that felt like me. And it never landed." 

"I really didn't need anyone else's blueprint and I could just build one from scratch because at the end of the day, the only person who's going to be affected by who you are is you." 

"So maybe I didn't grow up with a woman showing me how to be feminine. But I grew up with a space to become one in my own time and in my own way." 

"You didn't miss your chance to become who you're supposed to be. You're still right on time." 

Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction/Thesis: Host welcomes listeners and introduces the topic: growing into a woman without a prominent female figure present. She mentions the struggles of figuring out things like makeup and periods alone. 

01:30 – Dad’s Best Efforts: Discussion of how my single dad tried his best to be supportive, buying things and attending events, but ultimately did not understand the specifics of my interests. I recall odd fashion phases, like the "godforsaken suspenders era," and a realization that I only knew my shoe size in boys' sizes. 

03:00 (Estimate) – The Awkward Phase: Describing the extended awkward phase of trying to find identity because there was no one to "carve my path or show me the way". This involved copying girls at school and influencers, borrowing personalities and looks that never felt genuine. 

05:00 (Estimate) – Learning and Growth: Reflecting that the awkward phase was not a failure but necessary learning and growth, realizing I could build my own identity blueprint from scratch. 

06:30 (Estimate) – A Unique Blueprint: How my version of femininity is "sewn together from trial and error and curiosity". Appreciation for my dad, who never applied too many labels and simply liked seeing me own my identity. 

08:00 (Estimate) – Note to Listener/Conclusion: Offering reassurance that listeners are not alone or behind in their growth journey. Reminding them that a non-traditional path is simply their story, which they must own. 

Keywords/Tags: Single Dad, Femininity, Identity, Girlhood, Self-Worth, Awkward Phase, Growing Up 

Resources/Links: No specific resources or links (such as websites, books, or social media handles) were mentioned in the provided excerpts. 

Call to Action: Take your time, trust yourself and your journey, and remember you are exactly where you need to be.