I loved this piece but it also makes me feel sad for all the beautiful people who are/were told they are lesser because they don't meet that time’s or region’s beauty standard. And how horrible that that person chose to tell you you couldn't fit in a stretchy princess skirt and cape when you could have!
I know - was so sad! I also think there was something else going on (race maybe) as i defo wasn't even the biggest kid at that party. Not that it should matter! xx
I have to chime in on the nose topic. I had to come all the way to Australia to witness a group of friends making fun of one of the boy’s nose for being ‘very Italian’. In all fairness, he is ethnically Italian (like freaking 40% of people here!), and his nose looks perfectly normal. Nobody makes fun of noses in Italy because we all have one. The nose scale is skewed!
I’ve been there as a child , with different details to my story, as most women have. I must admit the part about the party and the lady giving you the butterfly costume made me mad. But you know what ? The joke was on her, for butterflies have a bigger superpower than princesses: the power of transformation. Thank you for your powerful writing.
If you haven’t yet read the book “The Body is not an Apology “ by Sonya Renee Taylor, I highly recommend it. Loving oneself, inside and out , is truly a radical act in a world that would have you believe that it’s impossible.
Sending a hug across time and space to your inner child.
Ah thanks so much Helen! I haven’t heard of that book but have added to my wish list! :-) it’s so rubbish that these things happen in childhood and we’re stuck with the results of them (for the most part, unless we really work at them.) xx
Hmmm the vulnerability, insight and relatability; so good. I've always thought I was the best looking since I was a kid, it only took me until I was 25 and started going to the gym and taking care of my mental health that I was actually dope and handsome, some people might not agree but that's okay. Your not meant to be everyone's cup of coffee.
Oh interesting! How did you get the mindset as a child? I’ve got a few friends who are like that too - they’ve always loved their appearance and it fascinates me! Was it a parental thing?
This makes so much sense! Thank you.
Ah i'm so glad! :) The rest of the chapter talks about the science of how we build our self esteem - fascinating stuff!
I loved this piece but it also makes me feel sad for all the beautiful people who are/were told they are lesser because they don't meet that time’s or region’s beauty standard. And how horrible that that person chose to tell you you couldn't fit in a stretchy princess skirt and cape when you could have!
I know - was so sad! I also think there was something else going on (race maybe) as i defo wasn't even the biggest kid at that party. Not that it should matter! xx
😭 I want to hug past you and tell you that some people are just a-holes! 😂🙈 🤦🏻♀️ It’s sad how these little things stick with us from childhood.
I have to chime in on the nose topic. I had to come all the way to Australia to witness a group of friends making fun of one of the boy’s nose for being ‘very Italian’. In all fairness, he is ethnically Italian (like freaking 40% of people here!), and his nose looks perfectly normal. Nobody makes fun of noses in Italy because we all have one. The nose scale is skewed!
Ah that's interesting! In India and other places a lot of people do get nose jobs, but I wonder if that's because they were colonised by Europe!
PS: Lots of Italians in Wales too randomly!
xx
I’ve been there as a child , with different details to my story, as most women have. I must admit the part about the party and the lady giving you the butterfly costume made me mad. But you know what ? The joke was on her, for butterflies have a bigger superpower than princesses: the power of transformation. Thank you for your powerful writing.
If you haven’t yet read the book “The Body is not an Apology “ by Sonya Renee Taylor, I highly recommend it. Loving oneself, inside and out , is truly a radical act in a world that would have you believe that it’s impossible.
Sending a hug across time and space to your inner child.
Ah thanks so much Helen! I haven’t heard of that book but have added to my wish list! :-) it’s so rubbish that these things happen in childhood and we’re stuck with the results of them (for the most part, unless we really work at them.) xx
Hmmm the vulnerability, insight and relatability; so good. I've always thought I was the best looking since I was a kid, it only took me until I was 25 and started going to the gym and taking care of my mental health that I was actually dope and handsome, some people might not agree but that's okay. Your not meant to be everyone's cup of coffee.
Oh interesting! How did you get the mindset as a child? I’ve got a few friends who are like that too - they’ve always loved their appearance and it fascinates me! Was it a parental thing?