In light of International Women's Day (yesterday) and a recent, ongoing conversation among my friends, I have some thoughts to share. Well, at least to put on this blog because I'm 99% no one reads this thing.
I feel that most girls believe that some personal characteristic (whether it be weight, hair color, mental illness, outspokenness, etc.) of theirs is a barrier to acceptance and/or earthly, romantic love. I am not entirely sure what I believe that is for me; but I absolutely criticize myself, blaming the way I am for my singleness. That it must be my fault, something I've done or haven't done, or some characteristic that I possess that should change.
Self-criticism- or dare I say it: self-hatred- is a real bitch, and we live in a fucked up society. Who could live up to the ideals set before us as women and girls? I sure can't. And while that's upsetting, I'm not sure that I would really want to. What a lame, boring world this would be if all women were the same!
The most precious women I know (my mom, my best friend, my best friend's godmother, and many others) are wonderful because they refuse to conform to some socially-constructed ideal or image. They are strong and make no apologies for that strength. They are beautiful yet do not look like robotic cover girls. They are talented, gifted women, and we would all be worse off without them living into their true selves.
