What would you say to your young feminist self?

You thought it was all clear cut. You imagined all women had something in common as a sex class. You were suspicious of the power dynamics within marriage and family relationships and the impossibility of escaping structural inequalities in one's personal life. You were affronted by the ever present threat of male violence, the intrusion of male gaze, the regular harassment in public spaces. You understood you would be marginalised in the workplace, and that your talents would not be recognised in the same way as a man's.

You were right. Don't listen to siren voices who suggest it isn't so straightforward anymore. Don't believe that by making clever choices you can escape this in your own life. Stay safe and stay strong. And in particular, the very first time a man puts you down, belittles you in front of his friends, pushes you, makes you feel bad for not wanting sex, expects you to be responsible for taking care of his share of domestic tasks or otherwise threatens or demeans you, turn around, walk away and don't look back. It will only get worse and you will be diminished by staying.

I will sour the mood, because right now I want to tell her to stay the hell out of feminism, not to sacrifice so much for it in so many ways, and to go and do something else. Anything else.

Because much later in the future a menstrual supplies site will earnestly interview several male-bodied-but-female-identified people about their own experiences concerning periods and nobody thinks it is a joke.

I would say 'don't be so naive'

Less compromises as I got older. See the shit more clearly for what it is. More radical now than then. Get confidence in speaking out and build support groups around you.

That’s a really interesting question. I read a lot of feminist authors when I was younger and think my teen/twenty something self would be disappointed by some of my life choices. Particularly changing my name on getting married - I regret that now. I did it willingly too - my husband wasn’t bothered. A former boyfriend said a couple of years ago - you are certainly not the hardcore feminist you used to be and it made me think.

I would say: Question everything