Decentering M*n

You’re diligently preparing for an important exam, but instead of focusing on your studies your mind keeps drifting to thoughts of a particular person. You consistently ponder about their day, analyze their recent messages and anticipate your next interaction with them.

If a someone specific popped into your head, you may want to know more about “decentering” and why it has gained so much traction.  

A New Age

The “decentering” movement encourages women to shift their focus away from others and back onto themselves. It’s about unlearning societal norms that have long placed women’s worth in their roles to others—like as a partner, mother or caregiver. Instead, the movement promotes independence from these relationships and women taking charge of their personal growth.  

For generations, women were sent to college not to build careers, but to secure a husband. The outdated term “MRS. degree” refers to when a woman pursues higher education to find a spouse and leaves once successful. Although this extent of conservative thinking is not as common now, some are still losing focus of the vast opportunities a degree can offer.

College is a unique experience that grants access to incredible resources, mentorship and the space to explore ambitions. It’s a time women can use to develop skills, discover their passions and lay the foundation for their futures. 

Every lecture, every late-night study session and every professional connection is a step toward everything you envision for yourself.  

Refocusing

Consider this: a single class at Penn State for an out-of-state student costs approximately $3,500. Break that down by day, by hour, by minute. Every moment spent fixating on a text message or waiting for someone else’s attention during a lecture that concerns fundamentals of your future career is costing you, not just in dollars, but also in lost potential.  

Decentering doesn’t mean you have to break up with your partner or swear off relationships altogether, but rather, to evaluate how much mental and emotional energy you dedicate to someone else at the expense of yourself. Are you missing out on friendships, passions or opportunities because your focus is too wrapped up in someone else’s? If so, it’s time to shift that balance.  

I dwell in possibility. – Emily Dickinson

Your education, your ambitions and your future are worth prioritizing. To decenter is to reclaim your own narrative. Choosing yourself, your dreams and your growth over distractions that hold you back will always be a profitable decision. Time and energy are invaluable and it is of the utmost importance that we all spend both wisely.

Will you be decentering m*n this 2025? Let us know @VALLEYmag on X!

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