Where Femininity Stands Today: Dr. Sari Fishman on Her New Book, Inner Self Portrait

When Dr. Sari Fishman speaks to women, her voice cuts through the noise. “I understand you,” she says. “I see you. And I want to help you unleash the wild, authentic power within you.”

Her latest book, Inner Self Portrait: Poems and Paintings, is both a challenge and an invitation. Through deeply evocative poetry and art, Fishman lays bare the complexities of femininity and identity, urging women to confront the societal chains holding them back and to rediscover their true selves.

A Message to Women: "I Understand You"

Dr. Fishman’s first revelation to women is stark: “The models you’ve been given have failed you,” she asserts. “They’re not your own. These standards—crafted by industries and cultures dominated by men—have forced you into molds that don’t fit.”

Her critique is blunt yet empathetic. “We’ve been complicit in perpetuating these ideals. We’ve imposed them on ourselves and, in doing so, we’ve held ourselves back,” she explains. Her message is a call for women to recognize and reject these patterns.

"I See You"

Fishman’s second point is one of profound validation. “I see how hard you’re trying to express yourselves authentically,” she says. “I see the battles you fight to age naturally, to let your gray hair, wrinkles, and real bodies tell your story. But I also see how often you still feel the need to explain or justify yourselves.”

This tension, she argues, is a reflection of deeper societal expectations—ones that women must work together to dismantle.

"Unleash the Wild Within You"

Finally, Fishman speaks to the raw, untapped power she believes lies within every woman. “There is a wildness in you,” she says. “A force of nature that’s been suppressed by rules, roles, and expectations. It’s time to let it out.”

Her book acts as a guide, a mirror, and a spark for this transformation. It doesn’t just tell women to reclaim their power—it shows them how.

A Poem to Reflect: Inner Self Portrait

To deepen the impact of her message, Fishman includes this poignant poem from her book:

sorry to disappoint you

but I’m not the beautiful blue creature

you thought I am

I met you in the street painted in tar

filth contamination darker than black

entered my home

my temple turned white

just when you touched me

you figured it out

the combination is me all in one

this is the picture

you can’t grasp the abstract

you may love

you can hate

but make me feel I’m ok

A Personal Confession: "What I Want for You, I Want for Myself"

In a moment of vulnerability, Dr. Fishman acknowledges that her message to women is as much for herself as it is for others. “What I want for women—to embrace their wildness, to shed the chains of societal expectations, to rediscover their authentic selves—is what I’m striving for too,” she admits. “I’m on this journey alongside you. There are days I succeed and days I fall short, but the vision remains the same.”

This honesty adds a new layer to her work, reminding readers that transformation is an ongoing process, one that demands courage, patience, and self-compassion.

A Clear Vision for Change

Dr. Fishman’s work is more than an artistic achievement; it’s a manifesto. Her message is simple yet profound: Women must reject the chains of societal expectations, embrace their authentic selves, and unleash the untamed spirit within. With Inner Self Portrait, Fishman has created not just a book but a movement—an empowering declaration for every woman ready to rediscover her wild, authentic self.

In her words and her art, Fishman offers not just reflection but transformation. And perhaps, through this book, every reader can begin to see herself anew.