I'm 33, so I've lived a long time with my pastiness. I used to hide my legs year-round. Last summer I bought a pair of shorts. One. A single pair of shorts. And it was the first time I'd worn shorts (outside the gym) in at least a decade. Now I've just gotten to the point that I don't really care anymore, and I'd rather be comfortable and not sweat buckets when it's nearly 40 (Celsius) outside, thankyouverymuch. This year I own a couple pairs of shorts and several short skirts and dresses. It's time to let my blindingly white legs see the light of day!
Why the post about pale skin, you ask? Well I went to our church's annual picnic on Sunday, and it was really hot and humid. So, of course, I wore shorts. And I got made fun of. Twice. By adults. One of whom is the same friend who offered to shave her head with me a month ago! (The other was her mother - I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!)
For a second or two, it hurt. Really hurt. It brought back all the feelings of being picked-on as a kid - those feelings that made me keep my legs covered for so many years. And then I made a new commitment to not-giving-a-rat's-ass.
My skin is white. Very white. My legs are the whitest (visible) part of me. I have very short hair which is still riddled with empty patches. I'm a few pounds heavier than I'd ultimately like to be. And I don't care. I'm not going to let those things hold me back. They won't keep me from doing the things I want to do. Big thighs won't keep me from wearing a bathing suit. White skin won't keep me covered up. Patchy hair won't make me embarrassed and feel the need to cover my head. I'm going to wear what I want, do my make-up, don some big earrings then just head out and enjoy my summer!
This is the only me I have - the only me there is. I refuse to waste any more time being hung up on what's "wrong" with me.
(This post inspired in part by this one. Which, by the way, I love in part due to the fact that she worked out in a dress. I once did 50 burpees in a maxi skirt.)
amazing post. good for you! i am the same kind of pale. like when i think i'm "tan", i compare myself to someone else and they laugh at me. good for you, though...you are a lovely person, inside and out, and i'm glad you know that!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I know that one of these days (years? centuries?), pale skin will be highly sought-after, and we'll have the upper hand. :)
DeleteOh I love this! This is exactly what I will be writing about.... since I just came back from bathing suit shopping and bought two from THYME!!! And I am NOT pregnant... just about accepting your body and trying to be a bit modest in the process all while trying to acheive the best health.... easy right? :) I like you the way you are- and for the record you are more beautiful than ever right now...
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I can't wait to read your thoughts on this subject! I know you'll have something wonderful to say about it. A woman who has *always* been so beautiful inside and out, but going through the bodily changes of child-bearing... - seriously, can't wait to read. :)
DeleteHi Jac,
ReplyDeleteI just want to say you look great! You are right, don't worry about what others think/say. Just be yourself. Once you do that, you will feel that's there NEVER anything wrong with you right from the beginning. I have a wider bottom and used to get teased ALL the time in school, but I have learnt to love my body no matter what others say. Dressing up suddenly becomes more fun. :)
P.S: You have a cute family!
Have a nice day.
Cheers,
Kate
shopnomiji.blogspot.com
Thanks, Kate! I'm sorry you faced being teased about your shape, but it's encouraging to hear of a woman who has learned to realize she's beautiful and perfect in her own skin, regardless of how other people might say! I'm really working on getting there, too. :)
DeleteWell said Jaclyn! Sorry that others have made you feel uncomfortable. They just don't think of the impact, I'm sure. I think you look lovely from your pictures. I have only partial vision in my left-eye and my eye wanders very occasionally. As a child, I used to get all sorts of "Why is your eye funny?" comments which did make me self-conscious.
ReplyDeleteOh and I popped over after I saw your comment on Shop-Nomiji. We share common loves! I adore hats- I own about 45 hats at least and have worn them in a series of posts over the past year (I think I've worn about 35 of them on the blog!). I also adore purple like you! It's a great colour isn't it! I am also a Chistian (I presume you are since you mentioned church?) so seeing you are one two made me even happier to visit!Lovely to meet you!
Glad to meet you, Kezzie! I'm excited to check out your blog and hunt down all your hat posts. :) I've only recently started wearing hats, really - my hair was very long and thick before, so I always felt they looked funny on me. Since losing my hair I've been able to explore different hat looks. I definitely am a Christian - I have worked as a lay youth minister and spent a couple of years traveling as a missionary in Canada - which is how I met my husband. :) Thanks for visiting and commenting!
DeleteGood job! I hate it when people make pale skin jokes because they're not funny AND people should be fine with whatever shade their skin is. Thanks for being my newest follower, I've been reading your last few posts and excited to get to know you better!
ReplyDelete--TS