Friday, March 19, 2010

“No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly.”

I guess what's been stopping me from doing this project lately is the simple fact that I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of what I am taking on. All I want to do is contribute to the movement. The embrace yourself movement.

For decades we have listened to our mothers. We've been raised to love ourselves and yet we all emulate what we saw. Insecurities in the women who raised us or the need to keep up appearance. Even watching movie stars; looking flawless behind their vaseline-lensed cameras with flattering lighting and impeccable makeup. We've perused through magazines and the unattainable images they portray. We've been heartbroken, and rejected for a woman that represents something we're not. We as a whole put this incredible image of a woman on a pedestal held so high that no-one can touch it. We are all flawed. And even the few that seem unflawed are, themselves, flawed too.

The pressure to keep up. To keep up with what society tells us is perfect, is causing us to enter a time when women are no longer women, but plastic shells of what women used to be. Our children are going to grow up in a time when not having had plastic surgery is the rarity. When everyone starts to look the same because they are all trying to look special. Although the only thing that is moving us forward towards more plastic surgery is more technology. There has always been something that women have done to "enhance" their looks. Their outer shell. If we spent so much time enhancing our inner shell, we would be a much better society.

Still, things will not change and nor do I expect them to. Men and women are sexually fueled by what they see on the outside (initially, at least) and this helps the obsession. Of course, it's not just getting the life partner we want it is also getting the job we want and life we want. All of this seems to be hinged somehow on being physically attractive. All I hope is that I can encourage young women and men to work towards being the best that they can be. Many try to look like their favorite model, singer or movie star and in the process lose themselves and their true beauty. We are all flawed, we all have our self-esteem issues and when we can learn to love who we are and feel good about ourselves we will find a sense of self. The sad thing is that for many, this doesn't come until later in life. If somehow self love and acceptance can come at a younger age the focus will be on more important things, teens will grow up to be more successful happier adults, and suicide rates will come down.

If only the rest of the world would take action and stop putting images of unattainable males and females into the world and maybe more realistic instead.

So I'll continue on thinking of things big or small, to do my part in finding beauty in the unlit, untouched bodies of the world...

13 comments:

Nat said...

Amen to everything you just said :)

keeper_tere said...

Such inspiring words... =D

Kelly said...

This really gave me something to think about this morning. I've always had self-esteem issues but lately it's been a lot better... it's easier to look in the mirror and think "That's all right, then!" then to try to pick apart every flaw you can find.

We all need to learn to love ourselves, people. I'll go first. xx

Tara07 said...

I think u're absoLuteLy right :)

Melanie said...

You are amazing! For someone to use their celebrity power to do something good and worthwhile and to try to make a difference in the world...that's what makes you wonderful! xoxo Mel

Erin said...

I love your post. Some of what you said brings to mind this video, which I really encourage you to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvuNTodeDdE

Anonymous said...

i love ur blog & i watch make it or break it every week.
its so unfortunate that the spring season finale aired a week or so ago.
i cant wait to see what happens next! (:
btw, when did u start acting?

Marc said...

Hi, who is the artist of the picture?
I like it!

mery moun said...

well, ur sooo right..i always have been a person with a self-esteem issues..but the thing is that people keep let us down and don't help us get over our issues they
keep reminding us of our slef_esteem issues by different ways, i mean by the way they look to us or the most of the time they just dont look at all like we're invisible or something..and i can't tell u how hurtful it is to be in such situation..but i am really trying my best to don't care wich is a littel hard..any way i luv u chelsea and i found ur post amazing comming from such a talented wonderfull person

Shadesofpink said...

It's nice to actually find someone whose real someone who says amazing words like that, because so many of us myself included get so low on self esteem because of what we see on television or in a magazine.

Emily Hwang said...

Hi Chelsea!
I'm an avid fan of your work and I recently started reading (and enjoying) your blog. This post especially inspired me. :) I work with a non profit organization called Girls Helping Girls and recently I organized an art contest entitled the "Mirror Mirror Art Contest" where I asked young girls aged 11-19 to express their perceptions of beauty through art. We received about 7,000 pieces of art from across the country and the winning pieces are absolutely incredible. I'd be happy to share some pieces with you! Also, I wanted to let you know that you are a fantastic role model for young women and I sincerely appreciate all the advocacy you do on your blog! Some sites I thought you might enjoy:

Jessica Simpson's show about beauty standards across the globe: http://www.vh1.com/shows/jessica_simpson_the_price_of_beauty/series.jhtml

Girls Helping Girls website:
http://empoweragirl.org/pages/page.php?pageid=1

Girls Inc. (an AMAZING organization for young girls that I recently began volunteering with):
http://www.girlsinc.org/index.html

The most inspiring video ever :D -
http://www.girleffect.org/video

And on a more international scale:

A new movie about female genital mutilation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W3imc7BSzo

An incredible university in India! He also trains illiterate grandmothers in African villages to become solar engineers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVSl6L27BQ

A program in Guatemala for young women :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwSFCtYZB7U

An organization that is doing some amazing work for victims of human trafficking in India. (I have a feeling that this is the organization that GHG worked with in the past, considering it's in Kolkata.)
http://www.madebysurvivors.com/content/ten-school-sponsorhsip

Well, that was certainly long! I'm sorry, I'm just very excited and inspired by your obvious desire and willingness to be an initator in this movement of empowerment and self respect! Thanks!

Best,
Emily Hwang

Emily Hwang said...

P.S.
More details on the art contest :)

http://www.dosomething.org/project/mirror-mirror-art-contest

Enjoy! And THANK YOU.

Fee said...

Hey Chelsea,
I am from India and just recently started to view Make it or break it...I must say ur my fav character as Emily Kmetko. Since than I have become a huge fan of yours and your attitude. So started goggling abt you and to my luck found your blogs trust me I read couple of them an was so amazed that ur a wonderful human being first. Your blogs are straight frm heart and so inspiring.loved reading them. I wish you all the very best and pls continue to inspire as many....Lots of luv & luck Feroza