Saturday, October 16, 2010

Empowerment Day

Hello and Welcome to Empowerment Day! Today is about posting what has empowered you as an individual and most importantly why. The reason I wanted us to share our stories is because it's the best way to inspire. You never know who you might impact, or how much that person needed to read it. I am very eager and very nervous to share my empowerment, and I can't wait to read every single post from you lovely participants! Have a look:


My Empowerment:


In the 7th grade my legs started growing hair. Back then I thought I needed permission to shave them, so I left them as is. It ended up making me self-cautious (especially during P.E.) I became too embarrassed to wear shorts, whether it was during a hot, summer day, or to even go swimming (which I loved to do.) My escape from feeling that way was to cover up. Pants were my new best friend. I'd wear them even while holes formed. 

Then hair started growing on my arms. I'd cover it up with my hoodies. Understand that it could be 90 degrees out and I'd be fully dressed for a cold day. I would never admit to my parents my reason for this, but they knew something was wrong. My dad sometimes checked my arms to see if I cut myself (they were that concerned.)

Then more hair grew. Such as: above my lips, even my stomach and back, and of course my eyebrows. During that time, as unaware as I was, I thought only men grew hair in these areas. Although neither of these areas had a huge amount of hair, I still felt as if I wasn't normal. I looked at the rest of the girls in school and they didn't look like me, or if they did they were made fun of.  I was ashamed of my body because of this; because I didn't look smooth, or "clean" like I saw women in movies being. (I say clean because once I got my eyebrows waxed my "friend" told me that something was different about me; "I looked clean.")

By high school I became obsessed with waxing, hair-removal creams, shaving, ANY possible way to eliminate my hair. I didn't care if it made me itchy, or have my skin break out. This, of course, led to other "beauty" obsessions.

Then one day I met a boy named Chris and I woke up (I was 19.) I realized how powerful the media is when they can easily influence your perception. I realized hair IS normal, it's natural, and you know what: it's fucking beautiful. I realized I needed to love myself no matter how "different" I looked from the rest. Do you think Frida ever shaved her unobrow, or mustache? Do you think that's what she's remembered for? Wrong. I realized that people will always (sometimes without knowing) judge looks before character, but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter one bit. I was done feeling bad about myself.

Today: I don't shave my arms anymore, I pluck my eyebrows every now and then, I don't wax any part of my face anymore, I shave my legs when I plan to show them, I don't use any creams anymore, etc. Call me a hippie, but there are far more important things in life to think about then this hair of mine ;)



Yours truly,

Lettuce Head

8 comments:

  1. Bravo! Body hair is natural and depilation is a form of torture! I wish more women would realise that.

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  2. The media has so much to answer for! Creating images of people the rest of us feel we should emulate. Dictating what is normal and what isn’t; size, shape, hair, etc.

    It is true empowerment when you realize you don’t have to conform to their stereotypes, but you can just be yourself! Which is an awful lot more beautiful than the their images!
    The enigmatic, masked blogger

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  3. I'm glad you found peace within yourself enough to know what YOU want and not what the world wants. That's so important. I know people who literally wax from the neck down and are completely hairless. It works for them but it doesn't for me. I have more important things to worry about. ;)

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  4. It's great that you found peace with who you are.

    Did you know that shaving only became a norm among women in the twentieth century? Our preoccupation with it has origins in advertisements. Makes you think, eh?

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  5. Right on Lettucehead! The media certainly does do quite a number on women-and all in the name of money-shame on them! I think you're fabulous as is. ;)

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  6. i hate myself for many reason.. and you opened my eyes! yes it was the media that was freaking making my self-esteem fall down low! I should try this.. but I think I'm late to participate..

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  7. It's huge that you've found this kind of contentment with who you are. Empowering, indeed. You have reason to be proud.

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  8. Gorilla - Thank you! I owe you a banana ;)

    Mask - Well said. When we realize everything you just stated, it's the greatest relief. Somehow those invisible chains disappear.

    L.T. - Thank you lady. I suppose I had to go through that experience to realize true beauty. And you're right, there are far more important things to worry about.

    Misha - Nice input. It really is a thing to think about. It saddens me.

    Sam - Thank you! You know I think you're fab as well ;) Actually, fabbier!... what?

    Kamila - It's never too late. Definitely open yourself up; it doesn't have to be on Blogger either. I hope you're alright and if you ever want to chat send me an email: Srrossano@gmail.com

    Kelly - You're right, there is something to be proud of. It took awhile, but I'm here now and it's quite the relief. Thank you.

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