As a girl, there are a lot of social obligations that we have to uphold. We are required to look and act a certain way, so when things aren’t always on the up-and-up, we find ourselves self-conscious. Especially when it comes to those we’re trying to impress. But here are the things we need to stop feeling bad about:
1. Having Body Hair
As mammals, we grow hair on our bodies but per social stigmas, women aren’t to have any. So when we get near people we’re trying to impress, our feelings of insecurities have a tendency to come out. Maybe we haven’t had time to shave today or we’re meeting someone new and don’t want them to think that this is normal for us. So we push people away or coyly try to tell them no in order to save ourselves the embarrassment.
Stop!
It’s ok that’s it’s been a day since you last shaved or that your hair grows into a five-o’clock shadow right away. You’re no less attractive with a little stubble than when you’re as smooth as butter. If the person you’re with has troubles accepting that, then they have the issues. Not you.
2. Menstruating…
Oh that happy time that comes once a month and wreaks havoc on our lives. If women had their choice, this little cycle wouldn’t happen. And some of us do make that choice to stop it. But for most of us this is just something us and our significant others have to deal with. We don’t need to feel dirty or degraded for having this natural function. And anyone that tries to tell you otherwise is not worth the time.
3. Our weight
Whether your bones pertrude in sharp angles that might run the risk of stabbing someone or you’re self-conscious about the stomach roll you have when you bend over, we all deal with body insecurities. Just like in Mean Girls, there can be a lot that goes wrong with our bodies that are more than just being over or under weight.
Instead of nitpicking over the tiny details that we may despise, we should start accepting ourselves. When we’re confident in our bodies and love them, others do too. And if they feel the need to talk negatively about your body, then they need to GTFO. No one needs help in feeling self-conscious about themselves.
4. The clothing choice
For some reason people feel the need to comment on other people’s choices. They forget, however, if that person had wanted their opinion, they would have asked before they made such a decision. Clothing is a way of self-expression and something, whether we’re into fashion or not, that effects how we feel.
So stop listening to someone trying to change how you look. If we were conservative when they met us, they shouldn’t expect us to suddenly be wearing sexy clubbing attire out. Or if we were deeply into fashion trends, they shouldn’t expect us to suddenly give all that up for practical ensembles. People are who they are and we need to stop trying to change them.
5. What we say
Girls have it the hardest when it comes to what we say as individuals. We are told that it’s unladylike to curse in public or to mind what we say around others. So when we’re out with people we’re interested in, we are constantly over-thinking everything we’re saying. Worried that something might come out wrong, or that they’ll take it the wrong way. Even if it’s what we think.
Stop!
Girls are just as entitled to have opinions and to get frustrated and drop an f-bomb here and there. Obviously, you shouldn’t say things out of malice or to be intentionally degrading, but you should feel comfortable to talk about what’s on your mind. And if your significant other can’t treat your conversations as a safe and open space, then you should find someone who will.
Dating and life are complicated things that we do. But they both are very fun and rewarding parts of our everyday existence. So stop apologizing for things that you can’t change about yourself and start finding someone that will love you for you.
