Stop the Madness

I know I promised you all photos this Workout Wednesday, but this is more important.
Today's public service announcement is brought to you courtesy of #StopTheBeautyMadness.

I was reading my Facebook feed when I saw this ad posted by Marie Claire and liked by a friend of mine.

Wow. Powerful. I clicked through and read the amazing story about #StopTheBeautyMadness and its campaign which features some powerful ads like the one above. Its aim? To stop the stereotypes, myths, lies, rumors, and the "ugly truths hidden in our culture and our own minds." #StopTheBeautyMadness is a series of 25 ad that call out unattainable beauty standards. Its heartbreaking, raw, honest, and remarkable.

I encourage you all to scroll through the ads here. I found myself in so many of these. They are the words I have spoken to myself, my inner monologue. They are the thoughts that run through men in my industry, women whom I meet, my friends, family, but also myself.

I know that people look at me and say, oh she is blonde, thin, lawyer, she must have it all. They don't see the little girl who grew up in a violent home with a father who spent most of her childhood in jail. They fail to see the teenager who struggled to "be like the cool kids" who never had brand name clothing and came home from school to an eviction notice on her apartment door. She was embarrassed of her home and would never invite anyone in, she worked two jobs, while trying to uphold an appearance at school that she was perfect.

They miss the young woman who went to TCU on scholarship and worked the whole time. They gloss over the struggle with body image, self-esteem, and "daddy issues." They see this well-wrapped package of a woman who has worked hard to get where she is today--who was fortunate enough to have people around her who loved her, supported her, nurtured her, and became her family. They do not want to see a woman who still struggles with her place in the world, her looks, her self-esteem, and only wants to what they see.

I admit I am partially to blame. I adhere to the "standards" of modern beauty. I want to have the right clothes, accessories, hair, etc.. But on the other hand, I do these things for me. I buy things because I worked hard to have a good job so that i can provide for myself. I workout and eat right so I feel good, and because I have seen firsthand what lacking in those areas can do to someone. I may not be perfect, I may struggle, I may  "buy in" to somethings, but don't judge me for it. Applaud me for being a strong woman. Applaud me in the moments I struggle, the moments I am weak along with the ones where I am brave. Applaud all women. Stop the madness.

Women should be each other's cheerleaders, not our worst enemies. Enough with the mean girls mentality. We need to back each other up.

For more information or to get involved in this movement, click here.