When you start paying attention to how the world treats women, it’s hard not to notice the constant stream of unfairness built into everyday life.
Naturally, that realization can make you angry, and honestly, it should. But what do you do with that frustration? How do you push back against a system that feels so deeply entrenched?
Sure, there are big things you can do: educate yourself, speak up, sign petitions, and demand change from institutions. But sometimes, resistance starts with the little things.
Enter microfeminism—small, everyday acts that quietly support women and challenge the patriarchy. And if you’re looking for ideas, we’ve got you covered.
These are some of the most delightfully unhinged microfeminist habits women shared under a viral TikTok by Tori Dunlap. Scroll through and take notes, or better yet, start a few of your own.
#1
If a man starts getting angry or rude at work I say something like “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you emotional”
Image credits: missbear007
#2
I don’t do subtle. But in the ER when the dad doesn’t know their child’s basic information or medical history, even insurance provider, I never laugh & smile w/ them to smooth it over. I make them sit in their shame like a mother would be treated if she did the same
Image credits: annatheangry
#3
this is very basic but ✨ask them to explain misogynistic jokes✨and then say “I don’t get it, why is that funny?” and watch them scramble for the answer
Image credits: lady_of_the_river
Microfeminism can be fun, petty, serious, or even a little chaotic. But how impactful are these small acts in the grand scheme of things?
To find out, Bored Panda reached out to Alex Schudy, known as the Career Queen on TikTok, for her perspective. And in her view, they’re absolutely worth it.
“Microfeminism is a critical part of the larger feminist movement because these actions feel truly realistic for the individual person to tackle—women can use them in their everyday life, daily behaviors, and choices. Over time, I think that these micro-actions compound and create the foundation for broader feminist change,” she told us.
#4
I’m a yearbook editor and for all the Womens sports I simply have the sports name, but for the means I put “boys” in front of each of them (ie soccer and boys soccer)
#5
I’m a travel agent and I always book the flights to pair the child with the husband
Image credits: jennifer.murphy24
#6
I love to tell men who are having men tantrums at work that its ok to have big feelings and their feelings are valid but this isn’t the place to process their emotions
Of course, staying consistently devoted to the feminist cause isn’t always easy. Actively pushing back against the patriarchy, educating yourself and others, and making intentional changes can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s why Schudy encourages finding balance and choosing your battles wisely—and why she believes microfeminism is so useful.
“I think grounding yourself in the fact that even small moments matter is key in the face of criticism. Not every moment requires a full confrontation—sometimes the most powerful microfeminist act is simply supporting someone else, modeling confidence, or refusing to shrink yourself,” she said.
“Plus, one of the most powerful ways to sustain your energy with this movement is surrounding yourself with a community that shares the same values; this helps ensure that you don’t feel alone,” she added.
#7
if a man tells me his baby mama is crazy i ask him what size shoes his kids wear
Image credits: imtherealsamshady
#8
I’m a middle school teacher and when I have heavy lifting or need to open a jar (I teach art), I always get a girl to help me! And I make a big deal of how strong she is.
Image credits: sallyjgoodrich
#9
Whenever a dad says he’s “babysitting the kids” or “watching the kids” I say, “oh so you mean you’re just parenting?”
Image credits: marisajustmae
Schudy also shared how she practices microfeminism in her own life.
“I’ve found that building and portraying my own confidence has been a highly powerful form of microfeminism. On top of that, another that I practice regularly is giving credit to women publicly and intentionally—especially in work settings where women’s contributions are often overlooked,” she revealed.
“I also have intentionally stopped viewing other women as competition in professional settings; instead, my microfeminist act is to foster a community of women to learn and absorb from.”
#10
Whenever the dad comes in with the kid to the hospital and doesn’t have any basic information, I have him call up his wife and write down all the information in front of me and ask him to memorize it. Like what do you mean you don’t know what their ALLERGIES are?
#11
asking male authors in Q&As how their writing has changed since becoming a father.
#12
teaching my daughter to speak up when people interrupt her with “excuse me, I’m speaking” and with “I will accept your apology but not your behavior”
Image credits: ashleygoodfellow0
#13
I say “sorry i don’t have any change” to guys calling me or whistling at me on the street
Image credits: hoimetesme
#14
Midwife here. When a woman comes in clearly in labor and in pain, I always ask the man with her (their partners) for her information — like who her doctor is, when she’s due, whether she has any allergies, her date of birth, etc. A lot of them can’t answer, so I ask, ‘Oh sorry, I didn’t ask — who are you to her? » Same thing when they’re on their phones during labor — I don’t give them a choice. They have to come help their wife or hold their child.
Image credits: lynnflmd
#15
I work at a school and when i have to call parents to pick up their sick kid i call the dad first
Image credits: lydia.yost.art
#16
I introduce my friends and their husbands (in that order) and add a superficial adjective before the husband… this is Jane and her beautiful husband Joe.
Image credits: bighungry104
#17
If I sit next to a man on an airplane I copy his spacial awareness exactly
Image credits: udontknow_jackship
#18
I’m tall (6’1″) and wear high heels to work, so I’m about 6’4″-6’5″. Then I stand when talking to the men so they have to look up.
#19
I pretend I’ve never heard of the men’s version of sports. “Oh the nba?? Is that like the wnba but for boys?? So nice to give them a go”
Image credits: maddyclear
#20
Not me, but my husband’s a real estate agent and always puts the wife first on the contract.
Image credits: kindhousecollective
#21
Is it microfeminism to keep my last name after marrying my husband? I kept my last name… and don’t correct people right away when they write my last name after his first name… 😎 then when I do, I say: „no sorry, he has a different last name. Didn’t take mine when we married“
#22
I never hide my period pads, carry them in the open with me when going to the work toilet to change them. Is that feminism? 🙂 i think it should be completely normal
Image credits: anamarijamatijas
#23
I’m 6 feet tall and sometimes I tell men I’m only 5’10”
Image credits: rigmarollerskate
#24
I work in pediatrics. when asking questions about the kiddo, I make stronggg eye contact with the dad. 9/10 times he looks at the mom for an answer. I dont break eye contact with him. Just raise my eyebrows in confusion why he doesn’t know the last time and how much the baby ate. 🤨
Image credits: shanbiese
#25
Ask my kindergarten students what dad cooked for dinner last night and get v shocked if they say their mom cooked.
Image credits: swampbabe
#26
I ask men “Do you work?” instead of what do you do for work.
Image credits: leggomymeggo08
#27
My husband and I both work at the same paper mill and one of our coworkers always refers to us as “Jessica and her husband” instead of “Greg and his wife” and it makes me so happy every time I hear it.
Image credits: jessicahsmallwood
#28
Not really microfeminism but I only go to female doctors and practitioners now🥰 men never believed my pain and symptoms so I don’t believe that they are capable of passing their exams
Image credits: user111177a
#29
I have a woman tattooed on my arm and everytime someone asks me who it is I say God
Image credits: ktaitnotkait
#30
i always serve food to my grandmother before my granfather (It IS a really really tiny microfeminism)
#31
I email like a man. Direct, no excited punctuation. No niceties. Just straightforward.
Image credits: 100dollarbaby
#32
Assume the drink with the fruit and the umbrella is the man’s order
Image credits: katharinearcadia
#33
Play women’s sports on the tv for my dogs when I’m not home. Boost ratings, increase pay!
#34
When I have to announce a promotion at work, I make sure I highlight how OVERQUALIFIED the women are compared to the men in their SAME exact position.
#35
Point out every mistake our construction team makes and say it’s okay because they “don’t have a woman’s eye for detail”
#36
Constantly asking them if they have kids and if not when they will be having kids
#37
told my male VP I liked his pixie cut, after he got a hair cut ☠️
#38
Walking down the street I don’t get out of the way for a man.
#39
When my boss asks me to hire a third party service (consultants, lawyers, appraisers, etc.) I only contact women ✨
#40
“Hello Ladies and sons of Ladies” is how I start any presentation
Image credits: mzpettycrocker
#41
i lowkey assume every single person on the internet is female (idk if this counts or not 😭😭)
#42
immediately assuming men are talking about women’s sports instead of men’s
Image credits: _rm2299
#43
I correct anyone who calls her Kamala with “you mean Harris”
#44
Going to get my doctorate so I’ll be addressed before my husband
#45
Work as a cashier and always ‘forget’ to scan period products
Image credits: shreksasshole69
#46
If a couple doesn’t share a last name, we send mail and cards assuming the female’s last name for the family.
#47
i say ma’am but never sir. they enjoy sir a little too much for my taste.
#48
I review and stamp construction documents and submittals in pink so they know a woman is the one correcting their work
#49
When I was working in a supermarket I never scanned a single pack of tampons or pads because we shouldn’t have to pay for it 😎
Image credits: xgothicfairyx
#50
I dont think this is microfeminism, but I say at least on a weekly basis “men used to go to war and now their wives are paying the bills”
