I feel this so much. I have curly hair (but not the acceptable curly), redness in my skin, super light lashes and have so often felt the need to straighten or curl my hair with heat. Put loads of makeup on or at least have something or else I’d be asked if I was ill or if I’d been crying. Living in Europe REALLY helped me loosen my grip on making sure I always looked a certain way. When I first got there, I had WAY more makeup on than anyone else I interacted with and slowly but surely allowed my natural face and hair to see the light of day. Heels are another one, especially growing up in a religious context, that was the mark of a “woman” and women who didn’t wear heels were talked about as looking frumpy. But I refuse, no more heels for me, my chronic back pain has me in tears within 30 minutes of wearing heels and it has never been worth it, it felt like a requirement for so long, “beauty is pain” and all that. Not anymore though! Beauty is comfort, beauty is intelligence, beauty is joy, beauty is love ❤
Great video! Thank you for sharing these reflections. So much of what you shared resonated with me and some of my experiences. There are so many ways that I don't fit traditional beauty standards. Over the years, I have come to the understanding that not fitting in has afforded me the opportunity to opt out and create my own beauty lane. I get to decide what is beautiful, appropriate and acceptable to me. Of course I have to live in the world and am occasionally confronted with situations where I may have to compromise regarding what is acceptable/appropriate. But I always create space to bring parts of my true self forward in those situations in ways that me feel empowered and aligned.
Wow your comments about beauty standards really resonated with me! I grew up with women who defined themselves by their outer beauty and used words like "ladylike" every day. Its taken me decades to overcome that outer beauty hypnosis. "...same beating heart and vibrant mind..."YES!!!
Are we related?! I had very similar thoughts earlier where I’m not wearing makeup today and need to meet people. I didn’t wear it. But also..curly hair! Yes…my whole life. I’ve been over the last few years really embracing my hair even when it is “wild”!
I feel this so much. I have curly hair (but not the acceptable curly), redness in my skin, super light lashes and have so often felt the need to straighten or curl my hair with heat. Put loads of makeup on or at least have something or else I’d be asked if I was ill or if I’d been crying. Living in Europe REALLY helped me loosen my grip on making sure I always looked a certain way. When I first got there, I had WAY more makeup on than anyone else I interacted with and slowly but surely allowed my natural face and hair to see the light of day. Heels are another one, especially growing up in a religious context, that was the mark of a “woman” and women who didn’t wear heels were talked about as looking frumpy. But I refuse, no more heels for me, my chronic back pain has me in tears within 30 minutes of wearing heels and it has never been worth it, it felt like a requirement for so long, “beauty is pain” and all that. Not anymore though! Beauty is comfort, beauty is intelligence, beauty is joy, beauty is love ❤
Great video! Thank you for sharing these reflections. So much of what you shared resonated with me and some of my experiences. There are so many ways that I don't fit traditional beauty standards. Over the years, I have come to the understanding that not fitting in has afforded me the opportunity to opt out and create my own beauty lane. I get to decide what is beautiful, appropriate and acceptable to me. Of course I have to live in the world and am occasionally confronted with situations where I may have to compromise regarding what is acceptable/appropriate. But I always create space to bring parts of my true self forward in those situations in ways that me feel empowered and aligned.
I love that so much!
Wow your comments about beauty standards really resonated with me! I grew up with women who defined themselves by their outer beauty and used words like "ladylike" every day. Its taken me decades to overcome that outer beauty hypnosis.
"...same beating heart and vibrant mind..."YES!!!
Yes!! I love that we are stepping out of that!
I’ve stopped straightening my hair and it feels fantastic and freeing ❤️❤️❤️
Yes!!! I love it!
Are we related?! I had very similar thoughts earlier where I’m not wearing makeup today and need to meet people. I didn’t wear it. But also..curly hair! Yes…my whole life. I’ve been over the last few years really embracing my hair even when it is “wild”!
yes!!! I love others with curly hair but for whatever reason think of mine as too hippy or something. lol