Magazine Mania

I'm just sitting here on a Sunday afternoon probably should be doing something productive like writing the three papers I have do in a couple weeks...but instead of reading scholarly material I am immersed in the glossy pages of Glamour magazine, haha. Oh how I love trashy fashion magazines! Usually I dont buy them from the news stands because I would go broke keeping up to date on the latest celeb gossip and fashion trends, but today I decided to splurge on the October issue.

 Probably about 90% of the content of magazines is complete and total trash. I really do not care about the size of Kim Kardashian's butt or Lindsey Lohan's latest drug busts. The fact that I know who these people are is gross! The media projects certain ideals onto society that many people fall prey to. Young girls  and guys are subjected to the highly glamorized, airbrushed, and edited images of "beautiful"and thin women, and fit and toned men. Unconsciously, some young people(and some older) set these idolized people on pedestals so high above them that they do everything in their power to be just like them.

At thirteen i wanted to be as thin and beautiful as the women and girls displayed inside those covers of Us Weekly, Seventeen, and People. The fact that I nearly destroyed myself trying to reach societies standards of beauty is horrifying. Truth is so many girls and increasingly more guys are obsessed and infatuated with these fanciful ideals. I will tell you straight up it is not worth it! It has taken me many sleepless nights, hours in the gym, and a lot of family support to realize I am beautiful on the inside- and only because of who i am, am i beautiful on the outside. My mind has gone numb with counting calories and fat grams, and frankly I am sick and tired of being the victim of such distress! People shouldn't have to live in the shadow of other people, no matter the status they possess. We all have amazing talents, skills, and contributions to give to the world and I've learned that we must step outside ourselves and not take for granted all the blessings we are given.

As i stated in my previous blog, perfection is irrational and unachievable because striving for such an unobtainable go will always render you unsatisfied. Hence the phrase, "the grass in greener on the other side." Be content with who you are and who you were made to be. Girls, you don't have to have slender thighs, skinny waists, and luscious hair to be beautiful, and guys, you dont have to look like an Abercrombie model to be taken seriously, Our bodies are shaped differently, and our chemistry makeup in generously varied. Work with your body and what you have and be happy with it because its the only one you got!!! In this case there is no second chances.

I'm just glad I've reached the point where I can flip through Glamour and not be burdened with thoughts of not being good enough. :) That is the realistic goal to have, not the goal of looking just like "Megan Fox," or Taylor Lautner."