16 January 2012

(Guest Submission) Feministing

06:00 | Posted by ToughxCookies | Edit Post




By Lizzy Mayhem


Note: The following is a guest article.  If you've got something smart or sassy to say, we want to hear it!  Check out the Guest Submissions link for more information.



I'd like to quickly explore two of my favorite aspects of feminism and invite a discussion on how these things make you feel.

How has feminism changed my life?

Well, for one, I hate myself less.

No, seriously!

Everyday, I looked in the mirror and told myself what was wrong with how I looked. Now, when I look in the mirror, it's to make sure my T&A are not accidentally showing, and that yes, I do look as awesome as I suspected.

I am heavier now than I have ever been, and I have never felt more beautiful. To me, this is called "acceptance,” and it feels fucking great, by the way.

You can't just decide to have confidence and then wake up the next morning feeling great.  You have to think about why you don’t feel confident, and then change your thought process.  That does not go like this: "I don't feel confident because I have small boobs, and this makes me unfeminine."  It goes like this:  "I don't feel confident because the media has convinced me that only women with big boobs are feminine and pretty. Come to think of it, even though I have small boobs, I am gorgeous, and my boobs are perfect just the way they are. I will not hate my boobs because society tells me they are not good enough.”

Our culture thrives on making us feel not good enough. If you're pale, you should have a tan. If you have straight hair, get a perm. DietdietDIET, but also implantimplantIMPLANT. My favorite aspect of feminism is growing to accept your fine ass womanly self just the way you are, the way you feel comfortable. LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF.

My other favorite aspect of feminism is promoting the fact that women have brains! Woo hoo! It's NOT all about looks, please!  Recently, I was Christmas shopping for a ten-year-old girl. We aren't that close, but I'm told that I'm a role model to her because I'm an independent, successful woman. She doesn't have many strong females in her life. She's a great kid, and I love to do nice things for her when I can, which explains why I was Christmas shopping for her.

I was roaming the toy aisles trying to find "just the thing" and in the girl section, everything was Barbie and Bratz dolls, fashion designer this and that, play makeup, play heels. It was literally a challenge to find something that wasn't entirely image-related.

I felt disheartened immediately.  "Am I reading too many feminist blogs, or are we seriously underselling the future women of America?”  I told myself to take a chill pill and just pick something, but I couldn't. I ended up going to an art store and buying her a craft kit -- something to make with her hands, something that would take practice and concentration, but would be rewarding and fun. I am satisfied with my purchase, and noticed the way feminism has happily red-flagged the situation in my mind. "Here's your chance to make a difference!" it said.

Thanks to feminism, I am a stronger and happier woman. I strongly encourage others to do a little reading and see if feminism is something that could help their lives, or make them happier people, too.







Lizzy Mayhem rocks.  She loves fuzzy things.  She goes by Princess Amazing for long.
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1 shout outs:

Anonymous said...

Lizzy is my daughter, and I am very proud of her!

17/1/12 15:53

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