I'm a tomboy now. I always wanted to fit in with my brother's
I'm a tomboy now. I always wanted to fit in with my brother's group, so I climbed trees and played with lead soldiers. But I'm a woman's woman. I never understood women who don't have woman friends.
The words of Naomi Watts — “I’m a tomboy now. I always wanted to fit in with my brother’s group, so I climbed trees and played with lead soldiers. But I’m a woman’s woman. I never understood women who don’t have woman friends” — reveal the beautiful duality of identity, the blending of freedom and belonging. In them she proclaims that strength need not reject tenderness, and that independence can live side by side with sisterhood. To be a tomboy is to claim the wildness of childhood adventure, yet to be a woman’s woman is to honor the bond of shared womanhood that gives life depth and meaning.
At its heart, this saying reflects the truth that identity is not one thing but many. Watts speaks of her youth, where she chased the joys of climbing and battle play, refusing to be confined by the narrow definitions of girlhood. Yet as she grew, she discovered the profound richness of connection with other women — the laughter, strength, and compassion found in female friendship. Thus, her life embodies the balance between independence and solidarity, between self-reliance and community.
History offers us kindred spirits. Consider Joan of Arc, who donned armor and led armies like the fiercest tomboy, yet never ceased to be rooted in her faith and her bond with the women of her village. Or think of Eleanor Roosevelt, who strode boldly into the realms of politics and power, yet also wove strong circles of friendship with women who inspired and strengthened her. Both lived lives that showed the harmony between breaking boundaries and cherishing fellowship.
Her words also rebuke the false belief that women must compete rather than uplift one another. To Watts, the refusal to value woman friends is a betrayal of one’s own strength, for the power of shared experience, empathy, and loyalty cannot be measured. In every age, when women have lifted one another, they have changed the course of history — from the suffragists marching arm in arm, to the countless unseen friendships that sustain lives in silence.
Let future generations remember this wisdom: be bold enough to climb trees, yet wise enough to treasure the bonds of sisterhood. To be a tomboy is to embrace freedom; to be a woman’s woman is to embrace community. Together, they form a life that is whole, rich, and unshakable. Watts’s words remind us that the soul need not choose between independence and belonging — it can claim both, and in doing so, discover its fullest strength.
NTNguyen Quynh Nha Thy
I can relate to Naomi Watts’ sense of embracing a bit of both worlds—being a tomboy and having meaningful female friendships. But it also makes me think about how societal expectations often push women to have certain types of relationships. Why is there this pressure for women to connect with other women, and can those relationships be as varied and diverse as the women themselves? What does it truly mean to ‘fit in’ with other women?
MHdo mai hoa
Naomi Watts seems to strike a balance between embracing a traditionally masculine role and recognizing the importance of female friendships. It makes me wonder, though, can we truly generalize about how women connect with each other? Some women may never feel the need for close friendships with women, yet that doesn’t mean they’re missing out. Could it be that every person’s ideal social circle is unique, and that’s okay?
HDThu Huong Do
Naomi Watts’ reflection on her tomboy phase is relatable for many women who were often in mixed-gender environments growing up. I wonder if her experience is common for women in entertainment, where fitting into male-dominated spaces might be encouraged. But the second part of her quote—about never understanding women who don’t have women friends—raises the question: is there something inherently unique about female friendships that cannot be replicated in friendships with men?
NMTran Nga My
It’s interesting how Naomi Watts expresses a blend of her tomboy side and her strong appreciation for female friendships. I think it’s wonderful that she feels a deep connection to women, but I wonder if her viewpoint could overlook those who struggle with female friendships due to past experiences or stereotypes. Could there be a hidden reason why some women prefer male-dominated circles, such as a lack of trust or a fear of judgment?
VTPham Van Tung
I find Naomi Watts’ perspective on women’s friendships very intriguing. She seems to embrace both her tomboy side and her connection to other women. But it makes me wonder—why do some women struggle to form close friendships with other women? Are there deeper societal pressures at play that influence how we connect with each other based on gender? It’s curious that some women just don’t seem to have that same bond with other women.