Day 112: Descriptive words

I am kind of in a grumpy mood today...not because of what is going on in my life (or my family's life), but because of the media and the world.

I don't read a lot of news or on-line articles because I can get grumpy & frustrated, but I had a few minutes to kill today...yeah, made the mistake of surfing the Internet...when am I ever going to learn?

An article I saw was talking about how certain actresses do not like being referred to as curvy or full figured because it is just another way of saying "fat". They continued to say that "curvy" and "full figured" and other descriptive words may sound like a compliment, but are really disguised insults. They also said we should be able to read & write about women without using those descriptive terms.

And now I am grumpy.

I guess I shouldn't describe myself as petite because what I am really saying is short & short is an insult. I should describe myself as small boned because what I am really saying is skinny & skinny is an insult...yeah, I know most people don't consider skinny as an insult, but I disagree.

When I was in college I weighed a mere 115lbs. Was I dieting? no. Was I working out like crazy? no. Was I starving myself? no. I ate anything and everything and I ate a ton of it. My only exercise was walking the campus for classes. My metabolism was high & I stayed skinny. Skinny enough that I had people accuse me of being anorexic and/or bulimic. I had people let me know that I had chicken legs & arms. I was told my hips were too bony. So hearing, "your so skinny" felt more like an insult than a compliment. But it was also an accurate description.

During that same time period I could have also been described as "curvy" or "full figured"...how is that possible you ask? Because I have been blessed with hips. I have hips. The hips may be currently hiding or not as pronounced because of the extra weight I carry, but those hips were there when I was 115 lbs and they will be there at whatever weight I happen to be at. I also have a large chest. It was there when I was 115lbs it will be there at whatever weight I happen to be at. And no, pregnancy & nursing did not affect my chest at all...I know it does for some women, but it doesn't for me.

Lets face it. We are all mishmash of body parts. No one has the perfect body or the perfect measurements. I will use me as an example.

I am only 5'1". I am small boned. I have a short neck. I have narrow shoulders. I have a large chest. I have a short torso (short waisted). I have hips. I have long legs. I have small feet. I have a hard time finding pants, shirts, dresses, skirts and shorts that fit me. I can never in a million years look good in the flapper look of the 20's (or any updated type styles). I look great in the 50s sweater sets (and any of its updated looks). I may admire Uma Thurman - she is tall, thin & graceful. I am built more like Salma Hayek - she is petite (short), curvy & graceful. (I don't know if I am graceful, but I do try).

Since reading the books on color & style, I have stopped using the ideal of tall & thin. I use to say I wanted to look tall & thin in the clothes that I wore. Guess what? That isn't possible. Now I say I want to look my best in my clothes. I want to be happy with all of my attributes, not just a few of them.

Have an outfit I wore Sunday that I think fits the bill, but haven't had a chance to download it yet - will do it tomorrow. Sorry! In the mean time, stop worrying about descriptive words and just love yourself & all of your attributes.

Happy Walking!