The things that you care about make me so sad. Standing in line in the grocery store, all the magazines are about the same things. Lose ten pounds, bikini body by June, miracle diet discovery, latest fashion trends, summer's hottest hairstyles, and 99 sex moves to wow him. Always the same. Do you realize how vain you have become? I'm OK with keeping the magazines with tasty recipes, but why can't there be more magazines about how to strengthen your marriage, 10 secrets to being cheerful, most needed volunteers this season, fiscal responsibility and budget planning, and more magazines about heallth (which is not synonymous with weight loss)?
But it's not just the magazines, it's TV, the internet, the radio, all more of the same. All day, everyday, everywhere. It makes me sad. It makes me sad to see so many of you, especially women, focusing your energies on things that, not only don't really matter, but also are generally unattainable. It can only lead to a life lacking in fulfillment at best, and self loathing at worst.
At least Tina Fey knows what I'm talking about.
Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes.”
I wish girls everywhere could see what Tina Fey and I see. It's ridiculous. It's silly. And, if it weren't so terribly heart wrenching and depressing, it would be comical.
So put down your copy of Vanity Fair and stop comparing yourself to airbrushed and anorexic women. Close Polyvore and stop fantasizing about keeping up with every fashion trend that you can't afford. Go eat a cheeseburger (once in a while) and stop hating yourself for not eating kale and protein shakes all the time. Go work out for how it makes you feel instead of how it might help you look more like Kim Kardashian. And then.....get over yourself and go live life!
Hmmm.. I like the general message, but I also don't think there is anything wrong with liking fashion. I think Polyvore can be cool! I'm into styles, it is like an art to me. Why is that wrong?
ReplyDeleteI like clothes shopping as much as the next girl, and I like to look nice every once in a while. It's not wrong. Until you start dwelling on what you don't have and can't afford. Until you start equating your fashion level with your self-worth. Until you spend too much money on fashion and not enough on preparing for the future. I like pinterest for recipes and crafts, but I see a lot of girls on there constantly posting about style and expensive clothing that they "have to have" and I don't think those are healthy attitudes. It's all about priorities and focus. If (modest) fashion is a hobby, great. If you let it define you or consume you, not so great.
DeleteI like fashion too, that's why I have my cute daughters help me out. I also like to be thin, because it's healthy and attractive from my point of view, but I don't stress or starve myself. I simply eat small portions and well balanced food choices. I have never owned a scale, and never weigh myself. I do agree that overall, women spend way too much time, money, and energy on manicures, pedicures, extensions, cosmetic voodoo, tanning, massages, hair, fashion, etc. The focus becomes one of "me, me, me." True beauty comes from loving and caring for others, from worthy and honorable pursuits. That's why I am a huge fan of Article Faith #13. I love my Ashlee girl.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying you should abandon your health goals and stick it to the man and show the world how happy you can be as a fat couch potato. But I think real health is only to be achieved with real motives, and living up to the world's standard of idealized and airbrushed beauty doesn't count. I also think that physical health doesn't mean as much if it comes at the expense of your emotional or mental health, ie if you achieve it by beating yourself up every time you skip the gym for a day or eat an ice cream cone or, heaven forbid, actually have dressing on your salad. Balance, perspective, priorities, etc.
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