Until a few years ago, I was utterly naive about butterflies.

I understood their life cycle. I understood the caterpillar, then cocoon, then butterfly trajectory. I did not, however, consider how all of this happened. I assumed that caterpillars hunker down in their cocoon for a nice hybernating-bear style snooze, squeeze out a few wings, then, revitalized, break free of their mini-caves. Easy-peasy.

That is not, at all, what happens.

Between caterpillar and butterfly, there is no hibernation, there is goo. The caterpillar holes up in its cocoon and dissolves into a liquid. It completely breaks down into an unrecognizable gunk. Then, from this pool of cells, it rebuilds itself into a colorful creature with the ability to fly.

WHAT.

I learned this from an episode of NPR’s podcast and radio show, Radiolab. (Listen to that episode, here!) It completely blew my mind then, and I have yet to recover.

Lately, I’ve felt like hiding. I’ve felt like staying at home. I’ve craved quiet and order. I haven’t wanted to go online. I haven’t wanted to have my picture taken. I’ve just wanted to be at home, plant flowers in our front yard (number 5 on my Summer Bucket List!) and read.

I’ve told myself that perhaps I just need cocoon-time.

Liz Gilbert said that before she wrote The Signature of All Things, she let herself have time to just garden, not knowing then that it would lead her to write a best-selling novel.

I don’t know if my quiet time will lead to a butterfly-style metamorphosis. I don’t know if it’ll lead to anything, at all. But, because of it, I’ve collected a hefty pile of articles about American, kickass, female rule-breakers, and it seems right to share the wealth.

Below are seven links. I hope they make your online-time shiny and hopeful!

Let’s Read

• I’d be remiss (particularly during Americana month) not to begin with the U.S. Team winning the World Cup! Christian suggested that we watch the game at a bar near our house. After the fact, I realized that that was the first time I’ve ever been in a bar that was full of people cheering on a team of women playing a sport that doesn’t require a revealing uniform. It was really cool, for lack of better words, and I’m grateful that I got to witness it.

  I read two articles about superstar Megan Rapinoe that are well worth a read. The first is about her relationship with her brother: Why Megan Rapinoe’s Brother Brian is her Greatest Heartbreak, and Hope. The second is about Megan Rapinoe and patriotism: Megan Rapinoe Has Defied - and Redefined - What It Means to be Patriotic.

• This piece about Janelle Monae in InStyle is chock-full of wisdom. (I actually wrote down, pen-and-paper style, some of her quotes.) Janelle Monae’s Ready to Burn Sh*t Down

• Jane Fonda, Rule Breaker Supreme, and still going strong: 60 Years After Her First Vogue Cover, Jane Fonda on Acting, Activism, and Having No Regrets

• There’s an episode of New Girl where Jess and Cece discuss how worried they were about Taylor Swift living on her own in New York City. I’ve never been much of a Taylor Swift fan, but I have worried about Ariana Grande. It seems weird to worry about celebrities (especially as I’m writing this knowing that you’ll read it), but, alas, here we are. I found this article about her to be both interesting in content and writing style. (Also, her dog is pretty cute.) Ariana Grande on Grief and Growing Up

• Going on a road trip this summer? I want to hit all of the places on this list! Eight Places to Celebrate the Accomplishments of Great American Women

• Lastly, this article made me think. I’m still thinking about it, and haven’t summoned up a full-blown opinion yet. I’d love to know your thoughts. What’s With All of the Wimpy, Disappointing Men on TV Right Now?

Do you love a good list of links as much as I do?

I send out my favorite links weekly as part of The Rule Breakers Review, the Costume Parade newsletter. Sign up below and I’ll send you more links like these every Monday morning!

I’ll be back on Sunday with a brand new How They Build It post.

Until then, come say hi on Instagram! I’m slowly but surely pulling myself out of this cocoon phase, and back into the world (or, at least, back onto social media).

Happy Friday, Rule Breakers!