Zoe Foster Blake's International Women's Day message: "I was intimidated by women."

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate, be grateful for and shout out all the incredible women that surround us, support us and have helped us.

It’s also a time to reflect on the times we maybe haven’t had the sisterhood at the forefront of our minds.

Author Zoe Foster Blake has shared an honest IWD confession of doing just that – and it’s struck a chord with many of her followers.

It is with shame and regret that I confess my deep affection, respect, admiration and wholehearted love for women wasn’t always at 180%, as it is today. When I was young, and unsure of myself, and insecure, and had tricky boyfriends, I was intimidated and threatened by women, and would all too easily slide into fear-driven bitching and nastiness because of this. It took being genuinely confident and happy in myself before I could appreciate women to their full extent, and understand that we are all doing the best we can with what we’ve got, and more than anything, comprehend that women really NEED other women. I’ve since lassoed a magnificent collection of ladies into my life, both personal and professional, and adoring, supporting, championing and respecting ALL women feels imperative to me. I write for women, I create products for women, I teach women (mascara tricks but still), and I have a deep-seated and growing desire to help women. In short: I love women. Boy oh BOY, do I love women! Here’s to celebrating, liberating and empowering them. Including the one reading this. ???????? #internationalwomensday

A post shared by ZOË FOSTER BLAKE (@zotheysay) on Mar 7, 2017 at 10:11pm PST

“It is with shame and regret that I confess my deep affection, respect, admiration and wholehearted love for women wasn’t always at 180%, as it is today,” she begins.

“When I was young, and unsure of myself, and insecure, and had tricky boyfriends, I was intimidated and threatened by women, and would all too easily slide into fear-driven bitching and nastiness because of this.”

The 36-year-old said it took until she felt genuinely confident and happy in herself before she could appreciate women “to their full extent” and realise women really need other women to be successful.

Listen: Zoe Foster Blake shares her best beauty advice for time poor women. Post continues after audio.

“I’ve since lassoed a magnificent collection of ladies into my life, both personal and professional, and adoring, supporting, championing and respecting ALL women feels imperative to me,” she continued.

“I write for women, I create products for women, I teach women (mascara tricks but still), and I have a deep-seated and growing desire to help women. In short: I love women. Boy oh BOY, do I love women!

“Here’s to celebrating, liberating and empowering them. Including the one reading this.”

I love these peanuts, and I love even more that I successfully lassoed their cute heads down to Melbourne for our annual Christmas Lunch In January Because We Are Disorganised, lunch. Suckers! ????‍♂️????‍♂️????????

A post shared by ZOË FOSTER BLAKE (@zotheysay) on Jan 14, 2017 at 1:28am PST

It’s a sentiment that will be all too familiar to many of us, but it’s an important one to acknowledge.

So as another International Women’s Day draws to a close – arguably in a year we need it more than ever – let every day be an opportunity to champion and support women around you, no matter what you’ve done in the past.