That’s why one woman, Sweet D, reached out on TikTok asking others to share the best ways they’ve managed to make sure men aren’t at the center of their universe. Hundreds of women joined in on the conversation in the comments, so we’ve gathered their most creative replies below. Enjoy reading through, regardless of your gender, and be sure to upvote the ideas that you find particularly clever!
This woman has invited others to share the most creative ways they've managed to ensure their lives don't revolve around men
Image credits: aglassofsweetd
#1
When a man made fun of me being a fangirl & going to concerts but he’s a huge football fan who goes to games so i said “guess we both like screaming for men!” will never forget the look on his face😌
Image credits: vminniebts
#2
When a man is slightly rude or has any type of attitude, I ask if he needs a minute to calm down or say we can revisit the conversation when he’s less emotional.
Image credits: onlyroo12
#3
stopped saying "I feel..." and started saying "this IS" eg. "I feel belittled" Vs "this is belittling" state things as facts so they can't gaslight you!
Image credits: oldandnarly
#4
I assume every professional someone is talking about is a woman. Them: I spoke to the contractor about it. Me: oh, what did she say?…. same with if someone refers to a doctor, lawyer. Etc
Image credits: beccacuboid
#5
I choose a woman for ANYTHING. Tattoo artist, doctor, dentist, photographer, baker, artist, realtor, therapist, etc.
Image credits: marigoldenhome
#6
I remind mine during my period that my testosterone is heightened so when he says I'm acting like a B, I say "No, just acting like a man." 💅🏼
Image credits: ellesfam
#7
It doesn’t sound insane, but when a man interrupts me, I just keep talking like he doesn’t exist. It can get real awkward when neither of us shuts up.
#8
We have trained my 8yo son to call women’s basketball “basketball” and men’s basketball “men’s basketball”— it always delights me.
Image credits: littlewildlight
#9
I refuse to step out of men’s path in public. They can move.
Image credits: spoopybooboo
#10
As someone who occasionally has to call children’s parents I ALWAYS call Dad first. Give Mom a break 😆.
Image credits: auntielapasta
#11
If you are in public and a man won’t leave you alone loudly say “I already told you I don’t have any spare change.”
#12
I try to NEVER speak ill of a woman when in the company of men. No matter who it is.
Image credits: chlolineberg
#13
I call it centering women instead of decentering men.
Image credits: 99kedmo
#14
I live with my husband. I’ve started matching his energy at home. He’s on the couch? I’m on the couch. No more running around like a frantic chicken. I deserve my rest and hobbies too.
Image credits: kristinschultz_art
#15
Don't laugh at unfunny jokes, once you get that down the rest kinda comes naturally.
Image credits: glitterpunkx
#16
Any time I start to get a crush, I tell myself “a crush is just a lack of information,” and as soon as I get more information, I’ll lose interest.
Image credits: hayleyreigh
#17
My husband is a stay-at-home dad. Whenever people ask when he is going back to work, I tell them, I prefer my husband doesn’t work outside the home.
Image credits: annediekmann
#18
My daughter is a barista. Today she asked a man who ordered a latte if he wanted anything else. He said "You". Instead she offered him security to escort him out and told him to never talk to women like that again.
Image credits: susiew6112
#19
I said in a meeting , we'll that's a bit hysterical.. let's try to get out of our feelings and just be logical to get this done. I'm in construction.
Image credits: here4dadoggos
#20
My daughter is stunning. I walk behind her and mouth “gross” to older men who are checking her out & I stare them down. She’s 27 now, but I’ve been doing this ever since she was a teen.
#21
I do the bechdel test in real life convos. This includes women too. If ur talking to me only about men I walk away. I don’t want to be friends w/ anyone that centers men.
Image credits: joclo29
#22
Being 72, and single all my adult life. Highly recommend.
#23
Sheraseven said dating is enjoying yourself in the company of someone who likes you. And I haven’t dated the same since !
Image credits: iamdanitachelsea
#24
I practice the Bechdel test in my home.
Image credits: shiftcraftpro
#25
Instead of “ladies and gentlemen” or “you guys” I say ladies and sons of ladies.
Image credits: keli_who
#26
I change all my robot voices to men because I don’t want my kids thinking women are servants.
Image credits: emilylassiter
#27
I have a good one for the women out there getting married soon. DO NOT TAKE YOUR HUSBAND’S LAST NAME. It might help you to keep your voting rights too.
Image credits: janethopkins7
#28
Before doing anything truly ask yourself if a man would do the same for you.
#29
Stopped dating. Celibacy. Spreading the truth about the patriarchy and misogyny. Teaching my daughters to put themselves first.
#30
I am in tech and I insist that men in my meetings be the note takers until we reach gender parity at my organization.
#31
When people tell me their husband isn’t helping with their kids, I say “oh I didn’t realize he wasn’t their biological father!”
Image credits: myaimscreenname
#32
When on planes, I complement mothers as “single moms doing a great job” and if they point out the husband I’ll say “ohhh. 😬 Then why are you doing everything on your own?” And death glare at him❤️
Image credits: dub_frost
#33
I throw around the word he-motional. If a man is expressing intense feelings I ask why he’s so he-motional.
Image credits: moonshinessassy
#34
Oce you start to realize that a man will only speak to you if you're aesthetically pleasing or easy to fool, it gets really easy to decenter them.
#35
We were pronounced “wife and husband” at our wedding hahaha.
#36
“Don’t be upset with me just because your feminine energy has pushed me into the masculine role.”
Image credits: vibin_with_audra
#37
When I see a man with a nice car, boat, motorcycle etc I always ask if his wife bought that for him.
Image credits: fbicia1977
#38
I won’t talk to my friends about their partners anymore. I have to hold all this space for them when things are going bad, and then I don’t hear from them when things are going good.
#39
Telling men I like their pixie cuts is my favorite.
#40
Write women’s names first on Christmas cards I send. Also divorcing my husband right now as we speak. The best husband is no husband. 🔥🙏🏻🥰
#41
Being asked to cut the cake and pass it out. I in turn looked for the nearest man and delegates that whole process. The utter horror and confusion. Chaos.
#42
Im one of two women in my office. I put a pink couch in my office so when a man comes in to talk they have to sit on my pink couch while I sit behind my big desk 😌
Image credits: little_katie80085
#43
In a meeting, I said to a man, “That idea’s going to need a little blue pill to get off the ground” beat of silence followed by total pandemonium of female laughter💕
#44
I always put women first in all social and work situations. Email, calls, teams etc. but if I have to call in for a favor I always ask a man first.
#45
Married a woman 😈
Image credits: jenniefrost11
#46
I’m a paralegal. I address male attorneys by their first name and female attorneys by “Attorney (last name) 😂
#47
At a hardware store a male associate asked if I needed help and I said is there a woman associate around they are normally more knowledgeable. the confusion on his face 🤣
Image credits: little1carrie
#48
I compliment women on their intellect and men on whatever item of clothing they have on that’s ok- “nice tie””cool shoes” never more than that.
#49
When a man puts himself down, I don’t argue or offer a compliment 🫠
Image credits: nursehoneybutt
#50
I don’t know if it’s decentering men, but when I see older men oogling younger girls, I jump in front of their gaze, and I point my finger at them, shake my head and mouth no no no I see you.
#51
I talk to as few men as humanly possible.
#52
You don’t have to decenter men. You just need to decenter the validation / the need to be chosen by men.
#53
When guys say they love Star Wars, I say “aw that’s so cute that you’re a Disney adult!”
#54
1.) Cut off all female friendships where they center men. 2.) seek out material to consume that passes The Bechdel Test. 3.) actively ignore men in all settings.
Image credits: 301.moved.permanently
#55
Some quote along the lines of “why are you seeking validation from creatures attracted to children, animals, and objects.”
#56
I tip women 20% and men 15%.
Image credits: missdaphnica
#57
I just honestly to my core believe I'm better than even the best man for no other reason that he is a man.
#58
I jump out from behind corners and scare my husband bc I don't want a man feeling comfortable in my home.
Image credits: hananahpeel1
#59
Micro-aggressive comments; you like his shirt, tell him you like his blouse. If he is doing a good job, tell him he is being a boy boss...
#60
I never ask my husband “what’s wrong?” he can speak and also i do not care.
#61
Misandrism. The only way to decenter men is to literally despise them,
#62
I dont speak with men if they are not attractive.
Image credits: soapdate
#63
I also don’t read books by male authors.
