100th International Women's Day

Hey Everyone,

I was planning on writing a post about my Pick of the Week today, but since it's the 100th International Women's Day, I've decided to write a bit about women, their bodies, and self-esteem. I don't want this to turn into a rant or tirade, so I'll avoid bitter remarks, and I think what I have to say will be really helpful for the many wonderful women who read this.

First of all, you are beautiful, you are smart, and you are perfect the way you are. The media portrays beautiful as a size 2, but this does not mean that this is the only form or manifestation of beauty. Beauty comes in all sizes. Society's perception of beauty is constantly shifting, and thin wasn't always considered ideal. In fact, if we plus-size girls had lived in the Renaissance, WE would have been the ideal. Look at this Botticelli painting of Venus (the goddess of love, beauty and fertility) from 1485. Clearly, thin was not in...

Thin women were considered unattractive during the renaissance because they were likely poor. Having a bit of extra chub showed that you had enough food to eat and demonstrate health and fertility. Check out any depiction of Venus or a nude during the renaissance. They all look healthy and beautiful.

Women have historically done terrible things to their bodies to acheive a certain aesthetic. In the 19th century, women put drops of acid in their eyes in order to dilate the pupil and achieve a dreamy, doe-like look. Historically, women have also painted their faces with lead-based paints and powders to appear paler. Our female forbears knew the dangers of these actions, but they were so adamant on acheiving a certain look that they went ahead with them anyways. How often have you heard the phrase "beauty is pain"? We should not have to put our bodies through significant traumas to adhere to society's perception of beautiful. Crash diets are just this. We should embrace and love our bodies at the state which is natural and healthy for them. If curvy is that state, then right on!

As James Joyce once said, "Be yourself; everyone else is taken." Don't compare yourselves to others. Just be who you are and love it.

Happy International Women's Day! Tell another woman how wonderful she is today.