Almost 22 years and counting since the day I was surgically removed from my mother's womb. I remember my mother always telling me how I was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and then I think about all the years I spent thinking the exact opposite. There is this fear that comes with being different or unique. For some odd reason we're socialized to behave and at least try to maintain the same image (whether body image or reputation). I've always been the tiniest thing next to most girls and no matter what I always found some fat on my body that I felt needed to be chopped off. If it wasn't the fat, it was the nose, the hair, my feet, no boobs, OMG my butt isn't big enough, or my eyes too dark. Young girls and women like never get a break, EVER!
Growing up we have our parents telling us how to look and behave, then when we get to school where you have girls and women holding other expectations over your head, then there's the media of course (don't get me started on that ), and then all the wonderful lovers you'll have in a lifetime that will find something wrong with you to complain about. Oh I forgot about all the loser boys you will run in to as children and into your adulthood who will pick at any thing to make you feel like a freak because they think there's something wrong with you for not looking like Angelina Jolie.
Then for a huge portion of our lives we are doing what we can to make everyone love and appreciate us. It get to the point where we forget who we are. I think that we should all embrace what we are and who we are. Women come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities. From the tattooed queens to the most conservative ladies of them all. I mean why would we ever want to live in a world where every one was blond, blue eyed, long haired and skinny? Um, can you say yawn ? Our differences is what makes us so damn beautiful and hard to find. We're all a rarity, you just need to love it as much as the very thing that created us all. *whatever your belief is in that department*
Very true, I feel everyone's held to standards they feel that ultimately they can never fit. Everyone feels the pressures of the expectations of friends, of the opposite sex, scrutiny from family- but when it comes down to it, the only person you have to be concerned with being satisfied with you is YOU.
ReplyDeleteI know this is an overly judgmental society, advertising, music videos, just the general consensus and people we want to impress dictate what we buy, what we eat, who we wear, and what we talk/act like. But honestly, when you find someone to love you entirely just for being yourself- no matter what YOU choose to do to said self, then you have hit the jackpot. I know that's what I have with this wonderful blogging juggernaut here. This writing Taina woman of grace and a frame that will no doubt fluctuate as she ages and has children, and just changes in general. I love, embrace and accept that- and I encourage anyone out there suffering because of other people's 'gold standard' measuring stick- just snap that shit in half and live for yourself.
Bravo, mi amor- you really wrote a wonderful & thought provoking article here. I don't think enough people confront their issues until they're really up against the gun and then just degrade and put themselves down. Embrace your weirdness, your non-cookie cutter shape and just live.
Very Well said friend.. and as usual, i agree with you when it comes to being true to ones self.
ReplyDeleteum why aren't you a follower I demand it?!?!? lol
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