In her book "Bad Feminist," Roxane Gay expresses the struggle many women face in adhering to societal ideals of feminism. She feels significant pressure to embody perfect feminist values while juggling various life challenges. This expectation of being a "good feminist" who can manage everything creates a sense of inadequacy when she finds herself grappling with personal flaws like her credit score and self-acceptance.

Gay reflects on the exhausting effort she has made to distance herself from her imperfections, acknowledging that this pursuit has been unsustainable. Instead of striving to meet these ideals, she ultimately finds that embracing her true self—flawed and human—is a much more attainable and honest approach to feminism. Her insights highlight the importance of recognizing the complexity of women's experiences beyond societal expectations.