In Sex, Drugs & Endometriosis, Maia talks about all the ways she tried to fit in until she shaved her head and realized that being herself was more important than pleasing anyone else. In this open thread, let’s explore why we try so hard to fit in or, put another way, why it’s so difficult to be ourselves and stand out.
It was so difficult in the teenage years and then in adulthood to be myself because I felt threatened by others. They didn't like me the way I was becoming and I wasn't confident enough to be who I am. When I learned to challenge their views and fit into my reality, everything started falling into place.
It's terrifying to be yourself in a world that constantly encourages us to change ourselves with XYZ. I think the people-pleasing tendencies of people who are raised and socialized as women run so deep it's impossible to separate what the world tells us our role is from what we as individuals actually want. Challenging 'traditional' (patriarchal) narratives and expectations is one of the ways we can start to understand that. Being bald helps too ;-)
It was so difficult in the teenage years and then in adulthood to be myself because I felt threatened by others. They didn't like me the way I was becoming and I wasn't confident enough to be who I am. When I learned to challenge their views and fit into my reality, everything started falling into place.
It's terrifying to be yourself in a world that constantly encourages us to change ourselves with XYZ. I think the people-pleasing tendencies of people who are raised and socialized as women run so deep it's impossible to separate what the world tells us our role is from what we as individuals actually want. Challenging 'traditional' (patriarchal) narratives and expectations is one of the ways we can start to understand that. Being bald helps too ;-)