by Lucky Lucy | Nov 10, 2013 | Inspiration, Life, Uncategorized, Vision, Women |
Image courtesy of western.com
At just 11 years of age, a young girl called Tavi Gevinson sat down at her computer and started blogging about her passion for fashion.
Over the ensuing years she would attend fashion shows across the world. Some sought her opinion while others thought of her as an upstart.
After all, what could a young girl like that know about fashion?
And still she kept writing.
A couple of years ago she decided to broaden her focus to the complete teenage girl experience.
She brought together other teenagers and together they now produce an online magazine solely for their generation.
Tavi is only 17 years old.
Tavi started writing to express herself and to try and understand what she was seeing around her.
Now she helps other teenage girls to understand and share their experiences.
I watched Tavi give the keynote speech at the Melbourne Writer’s Festival recently. She shared her reflections on how she lives her life, what inspires her and her views on how we all live in this world.
It was inspirational.
At 17 I was nothing like this young woman. But oh how wonderful it would have been if I’d had her confidence- to simply be myself and follow my dreams. It’s amazing to watch.
Tavi is, in so many ways, an illustration of how many of her generation are approaching the world; without any expectations of what is not possible. Rather they simply explore what is possible and then push down the walls and keep going.
When I see people like Tavi speak I am inspired to imagine a world where anything is possible. A world where everyone can explore their dreams and share them with the rest of the world. A world where just by sharing our thoughts, we can make a difference.
I think we’re going to hear a lot more from Tavi in the future and I can’t wait to see how she expands her universe next.
Now I’m off to expand mine.
Expand your universe by checking out this Thursday’s post when our guest blogger shares her reflections on being a Christian witch.
by Lucky Lucy | Nov 4, 2013 | Self esteem, Women |
I’ve always been a big fan of burlesque because of its naughtiness and humour. It pushes boundaries and makes us see our world through a distorted kaleidoscope of colour, music, feathers and flesh.
It can also occasionally make people feel uncomfortable.
During the intermission of a recent show, I found myself talking to the woman next to me (Kate*) about one of the performers (Coco*).
Coco’s talent was a magic trick involving the removal of all her clothes.
Our conversation went as follows.
“I think it was okay that she took off her clothes because she doesn’t have the type of body that will intimidate any other women here or make them feel uncomfortable,” Kate said.
“But I bet we won’t see any of the male performers take it all off. I think that’s a bit of double standard,” I said. (The words “Are you serious?” were also dancing through my head.)
“Oh, I don’t think anyone wants to see that. Women like a bit more mystery.”
“Someone should tell that to all the men out there who send c!!k shots these days as a form of flirtation,” I said.
Kate looked shocked, stumbled over a few polite comments and the conversation moved towards more general topics as her friend returned to the table.
Now, I admit my last comment was probably a little calculated to shock Kate. But I found her comments quite disturbing. Did she really believe that a woman should only take her clothes off if her body was less than perfect and therefore wouldn’t make other women feel bad about themselves?
Unfortunately, I realise many other women might have the same thoughts as Kate. So many of our sex have perfected the art of comparing themselves to others and pulling them, and ourselves, down in the process.
I find this habit quite depressing.
Surely we can move past this type of behaviour? If you can get over the issue of nudity in performance (which I find acceptable but I realise makes some people uncomfortable), the real issue is how women perceive and treat themselves.
Human bodies are glorious contraptions with each one full of unique bumps and imperfections. And people are attracted to all kinds of variations of the human form.
So why, even now in this enlightened age, can’t women accept and rejoice in our imperfections?
Why can’t we look at an attractive woman and simply acknowledge her beauty rather than comparing ourselves to her?
I realise none of these questions are particularly new. After all, there are so many stories out there of even young girls, many who haven’t reached their teens yet, who are already obsessing about their perceived physical flaws.
I’d love us to change this mindset.
If only every mother could look at her own body and love it because of its flaws.
If only every daughter could see that her Mum loves herself, just as she is.
If only every girl could be encouraged to feel joyful when she looks in the mirror and sees every beautiful part of herself.
If only every woman could look at a naked female performer and appreciate her unique beauty.
If only every woman could stop tearing herself, and other women to pieces.
Imagine the wonderful world we could create.
* All names have been changed.
