It really does - I try to really savour and enjoy something now rather than doing the panic thing and doing the mental maths, but it’s a hard pattern to break, and I’m obviously still battling it!
The term Girl Math (perhaps unintentionally) perpetuates an old stereotype that women are not good at mathematics or even basic arithmetic. This is a touchy subject with me, because I experienced a lot of hateful comments as a child for liking math and science.
Ah yes I can see this! I think that’s partly why it became so popular online, based on the idea that women aren’t good at maths (which is obviously rubbish.) I’m sorry you were made to feel bad about it though :-( did you end up giving up on maths?
No, I never gave up. I had 9 semesters of higher math. Got my Bachelors and Masters in Chemical Engineering, and became a research group leader at a national laboratory.
Oh girl, I needed to read this!! Why do our choices be it food, weight, or even money seem to be always wrapped around some sort of guilt/shame trip? And then the bargaining we do to justify said decisions...my God, please stop the maddness!!
It's okay to want what we want. It's okay to eat what we want. Who are we trying to please? Who is really keeping score and why?
Self love comes from within not from a measuring stick.
Oh my god i’ve been thinking about this lately (about all the life i’ve waited doing “fat maths”) and that guilt and the adding up!!! Perfectly articulated
Ah thank you! I agree with you - when I think about how much time I’ve wasted doing this mental maths it’s so sad, but hopefully there will be less wasted in the future, for all of us ❤️
I could definitely relate with the mental maths when dealing with food. I went on a few cycles of unhealthy dieting that made my relationship with food horrible.
Thankfully I now have a loving partner who ensures that we are both healthy by not only making sure eat healthy and at reasonable times, but also encouraging me to participate in physical activities with him.
I'm not sure girl maths is caused by the singular big Patriarchy, though. "Woke" people know, better than anyone, the dangers of consumerism - for the planet, for the definitely super ethical global industrial pipeline, and for our own mental and financial health.
The problem with girl maths is that it exists at all (I can't help but feel like the trend took off because it, even ironically, validates that consumerist urge). We should feel okay with buying something occasionally because stuff is nice, while being okay with the fact that perhaps that isn't the best thing for the world.
Also, I have the total opposite reaction to food & exercise. I feel like exercise buys me the right to eat copious amounts, rather than the food cancelling out my exercise?
Thanks for writing. I didn't realize how much I do the same thing- Fat math around food. I do it thoughtlessly, even yesterday at galentines dinner. Chalking up my dinner to not eating that much during the day. Wow. Another thing ingrained by family trauma and the P. Well said and thanks for tuning on a light bulb.
Thanks for this article! Can 100% relate. The guilt after a purchase or eating something delicious. Spoils all the joy. 🙄
It really does - I try to really savour and enjoy something now rather than doing the panic thing and doing the mental maths, but it’s a hard pattern to break, and I’m obviously still battling it!
The term Girl Math (perhaps unintentionally) perpetuates an old stereotype that women are not good at mathematics or even basic arithmetic. This is a touchy subject with me, because I experienced a lot of hateful comments as a child for liking math and science.
Ah yes I can see this! I think that’s partly why it became so popular online, based on the idea that women aren’t good at maths (which is obviously rubbish.) I’m sorry you were made to feel bad about it though :-( did you end up giving up on maths?
No, I never gave up. I had 9 semesters of higher math. Got my Bachelors and Masters in Chemical Engineering, and became a research group leader at a national laboratory.
Oh girl, I needed to read this!! Why do our choices be it food, weight, or even money seem to be always wrapped around some sort of guilt/shame trip? And then the bargaining we do to justify said decisions...my God, please stop the maddness!!
It's okay to want what we want. It's okay to eat what we want. Who are we trying to please? Who is really keeping score and why?
Self love comes from within not from a measuring stick.
I’m so glad you liked it! And the constant guilt and shame is exhausting - from so many areas, food, marital status, work, you name it! Sigh!!!
Do you think you’ve found self love? Xx
I'm really trying! Running 2-4 miles a day helps as does writing in my journal. Also, music and meditation are super beneficial, too!
Oh my god i’ve been thinking about this lately (about all the life i’ve waited doing “fat maths”) and that guilt and the adding up!!! Perfectly articulated
Ah thank you! I agree with you - when I think about how much time I’ve wasted doing this mental maths it’s so sad, but hopefully there will be less wasted in the future, for all of us ❤️
I want every single woman in my family to read this. The way they had to fight to justify buying themselves a damn coffee pot was sickening.
I'm with you on the fat maths, but I do feel like we should justify our excessive shopping habits to Mother Earth and the Global South
I could definitely relate with the mental maths when dealing with food. I went on a few cycles of unhealthy dieting that made my relationship with food horrible.
Thankfully I now have a loving partner who ensures that we are both healthy by not only making sure eat healthy and at reasonable times, but also encouraging me to participate in physical activities with him.
I'm not sure girl maths is caused by the singular big Patriarchy, though. "Woke" people know, better than anyone, the dangers of consumerism - for the planet, for the definitely super ethical global industrial pipeline, and for our own mental and financial health.
The problem with girl maths is that it exists at all (I can't help but feel like the trend took off because it, even ironically, validates that consumerist urge). We should feel okay with buying something occasionally because stuff is nice, while being okay with the fact that perhaps that isn't the best thing for the world.
Also, I have the total opposite reaction to food & exercise. I feel like exercise buys me the right to eat copious amounts, rather than the food cancelling out my exercise?
Real ngl
Thanks for writing. I didn't realize how much I do the same thing- Fat math around food. I do it thoughtlessly, even yesterday at galentines dinner. Chalking up my dinner to not eating that much during the day. Wow. Another thing ingrained by family trauma and the P. Well said and thanks for tuning on a light bulb.
Ah I’m so glad it resonated. It’s wild when you realise how much brain space the constant weighing up is taking
Yes totally. It's literally like stock market ticker tape.