Elphaba and Glinda: Why We Don’t Have to Choose

There are stories you enjoy.

And then there are stories that feel like they reach inside of you and gently rearrange something.

For me, that’s — both the Broadway musical and the recent films. I’ve always been intrigued by The Wizard of Oz, but Wicked took that fascination to another level.

When I saw Wicked: For Good with my mom, something shifted.

I walked away thinking,

I’m definitely more Elphaba than Glinda.

And then I realized… maybe that isn’t the whole truth.

The Part of Me That Is Elphaba

Elphaba is unapologetic.

She stands up for what she believes in, even when it costs her everything. She refuses to shrink herself to make others comfortable. She challenges injustice. She doesn’t care nearly as much about fitting in.

I relate to that.

I’ve always been someone who will speak up. I don’t like pretending. I don’t like bending just to be liked. There’s a righteous fire in me that feels familiar when I watch her.

There are seasons of life when that kind of strength is necessary.

The Part of Me That Is Glinda

For a long time, I struggled with Glinda.

I saw her as too concerned with appearances. Too eager to be liked. Too focused on harmony.

But she isn’t weak.

She cares deeply. She values connection. She understands that influence sometimes works quietly, from within the system rather than against it.

And if I’m honest?

There are parts of me that look a lot like that too.

I care about relationships. I don’t enjoy unnecessary conflict. I want people to feel comfortable. I want peace in my home, my friendships, my work.

Seeking harmony isn’t weakness.

Sometimes, it’s courage.

Why Do We Feel Like We Have to Choose?

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Why do we feel pressure to decide which character we are?

Which label fits?

Which box we belong in?

In life, we’re often categorized:

The strong one The nice one The driven one The emotional one The peacemaker The disruptor

But we are rarely just one thing.

There are moments when being bold is the right choice.

There are moments when gentleness is braver.

There are seasons when we fight loudly.

There are seasons when we build quietly.

Identity isn’t fixed. It’s layered.

You Don’t Owe Anyone a Label

I can’t control how other people perceive me.

But I can choose how I live.

I don’t have to fit neatly into Elphaba or Glinda. I don’t have to be the righteous rebel all the time. I don’t have to be the polished peacemaker either.

I can be both.

And then some.

At the end of the day, I don’t want to live worrying about how I’m perceived. I want to be the version of myself that makes me proud — complex, evolving, imperfect, and real.

Maybe that’s the real magic.

A Question for You

Have you ever felt pressure to choose who you are?

What if you didn’t have to?

What if strength and softness can coexist?

What if conviction and compassion can live in the same heart?

You don’t owe anyone a simplified version of yourself.

You are allowed to be layered.

You are allowed to grow.

You are allowed to be both.

💚 💝 ✨Not a Morning Mom