I often wonder whether other people think the same as me or have similar conversations as I do. I’ve always wanted to write but because I’m young I have always felt that writing is for adults, authors are all adults, journalists are all adults, but I’ve decided it’s time to take advantage of my age and ideas and topics that are constantly on my mind. It’s time to express them. I don’t think I’m creative enough to write a fictional story or perhaps express my thoughts through art, so I’m going to express it as it is. I’m going to invite you into my little world of thoughts, worries and everyday experiences.
To begin with, this article, anecdote or whatever you would like to call it is a recent conversation I had with a friend. The conversation was sparked out of annoyance and anger over society, the ideology surrounding bodies, ‘beauty standards’ and how us as teenage girls feel about it all. Now it’s also important to mention that these are snippets of a conversation that occurs often between me and my friends.
I= Myself and F=Friend
I=Why can some men be so disrespectful? Lizzo wrote a whole song appreciating all different types of men and what does she get in return? Body shaming.
F=I’ve been asked before how much I weigh. Okay, story time. Basically, this guy added me, and we were talking and he said, ‘how much do you weigh?’ So, I obviously asked why. And he said, ‘oh because I can’t date a girl over 8 stone.’
I=No wonder girls are under constant pressure to meet todays “beauty standards.” I weigh way over 8 stone.
I= Can’t we be loved just as we are. Like Mr Darcy to Bridget.
F=It’s frustrating because people are trying to change themselves, when they shouldn’t.
I= Exactly, stop trying to look like people in the media, stop becoming someone you’re not. Buy jeans that fit instead. Labels and size don’t define anyone.
F= Yes because I’m sorry I am not getting married to a guy who body shames women- even if it’s not aimed at me.
F= Honestly, I think that we need to become CEO’s of a company and have models of different heights and sizes with clothes that fit everyone, so no one feels bad about themselves.
I= Why do people associate people being bigger with not being pretty or attractive?
F=OMG YES, it’s like if I say ‘oooh I’m fat,’ people automatically say ‘noo you’re beautiful.’
This is just one of many conversations, but this is my first time writing so I’m not quite sure where I’m entirely going with this.
The fact these issues are even being discussed gives an insight to the damage society has done to us. I often think to myself I miss being little. I miss the simplicity of being so little and young and not caring. Never once did I use to care about how my stomach and thighs looked in a pair of jeans or a skirt, I never once would call myself ugly or have everyday obsessions to make sure I looked ‘pretty.’ I’d wear bright pink leggings and a spotty top and never doubt or question my appearance. I miss that, not caring about how I look. There are labels on everyone but labels for size and a spectrum of this idea of being ‘pretty’ and an ideal size is damaging. I don’t know what you will benefit from reading this, but I have to put my rant somewhere. I haven’t worked out the solutions to fix this error from society but the more we express how we feel, the better this generation will be, the more accepting this generation will be.
