First off, I'd like to apologize for the following post. It is going to be slightly pessimisstic, brutally honest, and extremely blunt. If you cannot handle the complete truth....please do not read on. But I'd like to share with the world what life from a woman's perspective feels like.
Life as a female in the great USA sometimes does not feel good. Actually, often it doesn't. Life in my shoes is a constant battle between a desire to "fit in" with the crowd by wearing "cool" clothes; while still dressing in such a manner that does not attract male attention.
I do not find being whistled at while I'm out running pleasurable. In fact, it makes me feel like a piece of meat on sale for the highest bidder. I avoid running in public for that very reason. And the times I DO run in populated areas, I wear the baggiest clothes I own. But that doesn't stop the rude, obnoxious idiots who feel that by rudely showing their appreciation for my physical appearance will actually get them somewhere.
There are many times that I fight the desire to go kick them in the balls. Maybe then they'll start thinking with the right head.
Life as a female in the world is tough. I'm told that living in the mind of a male is tough as well. Perhaps the battle is equally difficult, just in different mannerisms.
How about this men of the world...I promise I will dress modestly, will go out of my way to not tempt you to be an obnoxious idiot, if you promise me to stop looking, talking, or whistling at me like I'm a piece of dirt waiting to be stomped upon.
Oh, but this is not the end of my rant. Far, far, FAR from it.
Today I was told and I quote....that I am "a borderline mental headcase, abnormal, unsocialable, and unlikeable". How many different ways can you say OUCH?
As a kid growing up, I struggled with self-esteem....a lot. I think every little girl does, and a lot of our insecurities from our childhood carry on into our adult lives. One of my insecurities was my weight. Being overweight as a kid left me on the sidelines a lot growing up. I was one of the last picked for teams during gym, I didn't really have a lot of friends. I was unsociable. I was unlikeable.
But even as a kid, it's all about where you fit in. No two people are alike, and I'll be the first one to say that there ARE some people walking this planet who I avoid. I do so not because I think they're horrible people....but because our personalities just don't mesh. Period. For some I'd rather be covered in papercuts and thrown into a pool full of lemon juice than be in the same room for them for an extended period of time.
Kids in this world feel that in order to make themselves feel better, they need to put others down. They don't realize that next month someone will probably do the exact same thing to them--hurt their feelings.
I pray that whoever is reading this realizes that perhaps the WORST thing you can do to a female--no matter what her age is....is to verbally insult her. Those insults are what lead to insecurities. And those insecurities are what lead to further issues down the line (from eating disorders to suicide).
If you have a "problem" with her, then sit down and think about the nicest way to say what you need to say. For insance:
You're so fat and ugly NO you can't come to my party! = Bad
Of course you can come to my party! You want to come over early? We're having a pre-party to help us get ready! Gonna do our hair, make-up, etc! = Good (Then of course you actually let her be part of the group. Don't stand her up, or ignore her when she comes. That defeats the purpose)
I know that what that person said to met today is not true. But hearing someone say it still hurts. It still sucks. And it's not cool.
So moral of the story: Be nice.
Oh...and one more thing: For every person reading this, no matter what your age...I want you to know you ARE beautiful. God created you just the way he wanted, and every blemish, scar, or mark on your flesh is right where He wants it. That mark on your cheek from a hairstraightener accident....that doesn't make you ugly. It makes you unique. And I think uniqueness is pretty cool.
I'm cool. I'm unique. I'm the only me I know. And you are the best you I know. So start ignoring all the crappy things people say--they're only saying it cause they feel crappy about themselves.
Just trust me on this.
