You can read Mirror Error here: http://apocalypstick.com/2011/08/22/mirror-error/
Some of the comments told her (and her readers) how damaging celebrity culture and women in the media are. How that look isn't attainable and how we can't compare ourselves to celebrities. While I agree with the comments that being "you" is a gift and that you should celebrate your uniqueness it got me thinking.
I will admit it. I want the body of a celebrity. I want to be a celebrity. I diet, exercise, and obsess daily about my body. My ideal changes weekly. Sometimes it's Fergie (singer, not the Duchess), Nicole Richie, Jessica Biel, and a variety of others. Yes, it is very difficult to both attain and maintain that type of body- but it is possible and if you want it and are willing to work for it I don't see a problem with that. I want to look the best that I can look. Why should I chalk it up to "oh they're famous"? To me that's saying that they are different than I am, which clearly I don't believe. They may be in a different place in their career at the moment but we are all the same and if they can do it, so can I.
I have one friend who I love very dearly and is the closest thing I will every have to a sibling. But she's always telling me to stop worrying so much about my career when I'm staying up late rehearsing for an audition or writing a new script all night. But it is people that go that extra mile that end up making it, at least in the industry I want to be in. Nobody is forcing me to do this. This is the life and career path that I've chosen and why shouldn't I want to make it to the top? I don't want to meander in the middle somewhere. Yes, I watch what I eat everyday. I turn down a lot of nights out to stay in and work on projects. But I don't think I should be judged for wanting more.
Mediocrity is fine with some people. They want their 9-5PM job and make enough money to be comfortable. I don't judge them for that. So I shouldn't be judged for wanting the best in life. The best body, the best career, the best boyfriend. I don't want to settle for anything.
Sometimes it's OK to want to change things about yourself. And we all have the power to control and change those things. Thanks Apocalypstick! And btw you're super hot!
XO,
Wannabe
"Yes, it is very difficult to both attain and maintain that type of body- but it is possible and if you want it and are willing to work for it I don't see a problem with that. I want to look the best that I can look. Why should I chalk it up to "oh they're famous"? To me that's saying that they are different than I am, which clearly I don't believe."
ReplyDeleteRight?? It's not like as soon as they got work someone waved a magic wand and gave them an idea body. I could get one too but I admit I choose the lazy way out and eat poorly and don't exercise enough. And then I complain about my body.
To be fair, it's easier to look that good when you can afford a trainer, dietician, and hair/makeup people. I'm just saying.
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me most when I read this was what you said at the end. I have been at this for so long that I've just FORGOTTEN that there are people out there who chose to spend their lives in a 9-5. It just boggles my mind.
I agree Julia. They do have the access and money at their disposal. But my whole point is if you work hard and are disciplined you can overcome not having the trainer and the meal delivery service and hair and makeup. It's all about finding whatever way you can to get what you want and not settling. And I know, whenever I do a temp job where I'm sedentary at a desk it motivates me that much more because if that was my life I don't know what I'd do.
ReplyDeleteBy calling a 9to5 job mediocre and the career that you are pursuing the best of the best you are judging. To say that the bodies of actresses and models are the best way someone can look is saying anything less is not. I found this article full of judgement whether you felt that it did or not. I too could have achieved an actresses body, but I chose to settle for mediocrity by not focusing on the superficiality that is the physical body and instead focus on helping others, making a difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteBookWyrm, I see what you're saying but I think you're looking at this post as if she's speaking for EVERYONE and she's not: she's speaking for herself.
ReplyDeleteI 100% love this and I especially love that "ambition" tag. I want to be the best at what I do and I want to have the best, healthiest body that I can have. Both involve a high level of commitment and because I realize that, I know that half-assing anything isn't going to get me what I want. So, sometimes I get annoyed with myself when I have a hot dog for lunch three days in a row, sleep through a workout or grab a king-sized caramello bar for dessert every night for a week because I know I'm unnecessarily complicating my goals and ignoring my ambition (keyword: my).
Also, I don't let my ambitions get in the way of me being an actual human being. Putting yourself first doesn't mean you're neglecting the world. Those concepts are not mutually exclusive.
Whoa. BookWyrm, what? Just because she's expressing her own personal values doesn't mean she's imposing them onto you. You're sounding a little defensive, there.
ReplyDeleteMediocrity is fine with some people. They want their 9-5PM job and make enough money to be comfortable. I don't judge them for that. So I shouldn't be judged for wanting the best in life. The best body, the best career, the best boyfriend. I don't want to settle for anything.
ReplyDeleteThese are her exact words, she is not just implying that a 9-5 is mediocre and settling she is flat out saying it.
And all I was trying to say is that some people like those jobs, those jobs are essential to run this country. On the other side some people want to focus on other things like family and volunteering so what they do to make money to pay the bills isnt important. They don't want things they want memories.
And I am not trying to say that she should not be wanting those things or that they are wrong or mediocre. I am just saying that she was most definitely judging.