NO MORE!

Found at nowloss.com

                 Perfection; that is a word obsessed over by society. It is a word that is used to define how we women need to be. There is a mental or academic perfection and then there is the physical. Although boys also go through the same issue, (having a lean, buff, strong, tall body) I will address my perspective which is that of a women. Perfection for us women means big, round butt and breasts, lean body, silky hair, smooth face and body otherwise known as a “beach body” as defined by People. It is no wonder that not only do we see it in actresses, as presented by People, but we also see it in music videos, commercials, TV shows, games, posters, etc. We are bombarded by all these images of perfection and thus began to accept it and try to portray it. I mean how many of us have seen those magazines that especially during this time of year have headlines like “Ten ways to obtain the perfect body” or “Secrets to obtain that body you’ve always wanted.” Only a small percent of women have the so called "perfect body" and the rest are finding ways of obtain it. We need to stop this. It is true that we need to be healthy and that may require losing weight but that does not mean injuring ourselves. We are born a certain way and that is that.

            As much as I don’t like it, I have been influenced by the media. When I think about how I dress, I feel like I might objectify myself but not really. For one, I dress aware that there will be men (notice I’m not saying boys) who will stare at my body. I feel naked whenever I get those stairs from men. I feel disgusted by them whenever they open their mouths. I understand that generally men and women are attracted to each other but that does not mean that grown men should look at a girl in that nasty way. Who are they to look at me and tell me I’m “rica” or I look “good” if they do not know who I truly am. It is sad to say but because of such actions by men I use to always cover myself up. I did not like wearing tight clothing or short clothing because I knew there be men that would have those disgusting looks on them.
            This past Friday I wore a short dress with leggings. I like the dress and thought that it would be a nice change from the pants I've been wearing. I felt comfortable too. After arriving at my summer program, the Cathedral Scholars, many of my classmates complemented me on how i looked. I did, however, notice that many people looked at me more than usual. I begin to wonder: Do they look at me so much that a slight change makes them stare and study/eye me like this? A few of the looks I did not mind, others I sensed something but tried to ignore it. As i left the program, outsider stares kicked in. It was uncomfortable but I held my head high. I met my mom and sister, and then we left to see Harry Potter 7 Part 2. Again, more stares. I enjoyed the movie and cared less about the looks I received earlier. Then, as my mom, sister, and I walked home more stares, but what caught my attention was the look of this one woman who gave me a disapproving look. I knew it was because of my attire. I wanted to smack her because 1) her daughter was wearing booty shorts and 2) she had no right at looking at me and judging me in such a way. I could not take it anymore. I wanted to run home and change into pants and a T-shirt. But, I calmed myself down and walked on. Once home I asked my mom what she thought of my outfit and if it showed too much. She told me I looked really nice and decent. I felt better. The incident made me recollect that not only do men judge us, but also other women. Regardless of whom it is, WHO ARE THEY TO DO SO? SERIOUSLY PEOPLE STOP THIS NONSENSE!      
            Lately though I am beginning to not care. As much as I wish they would not look I know I can’t really change them. I also know that I do not have to hide myself because of them. I will not let them influence me anymore. On one hand that is good, on another I have moved to being influenced by other girls and the media. I notice the style of girls my age: some I have adapted to like the skinny jeans. At first I thought they were too much but they are not that bad. The bad thing is that while it is comfortable, I wear it because unconsciously, I know my bottom half is nicely displayed.
After the incident I went through though, I am done. I WILL NOT dress for anyone else but me. I will listen to advice because I do not want to look a mess but I am done thinking about the approval of others. I will also not judge others. I am also beginning to think more that even if I target boys I should not do it for them. I mean most will look and I will not even get to know them. Why should I worry about someone I will never meet? Besides even if I do think they are cute because of the way they look, I do not truly know who they are and they don’t know who I am.  I need to think more about whether 1) I feel comfortable and 2) I truly like what I wear, not society, not boys, not others, but me.
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