Normalization

Hi, let's talk about normalizing our outer demeanor. From a young age we are taught to believe that in order to look beautiful one must have the perfect body, perfect features and fair skin tone. In short women are expected to be clones of Kylie Jenner (I'm not throwing shade at her. She's hot and so are you). The society wants us to look this way and we need to change this misconception of beauty, by simply being ourselves.

Your body needn't always be an hourglass shape. It could be a pear, it could be a triangle, it could be an apple, and it could be a flat wooden plank. It just doesn't matter unless you're healthy. Your acne should not matter since it is just your body doing its work by secreting hormones (just to make it clear, I'm talking about PMS and teenage acne. By all means take medications if your dermatologist says so). Stretch marks are something people and especially women aren't comfortable showing. Pregnancy stretch marks are not something to be ashamed of. You created a human being inside you, if that isn't magic then what is? Why would you want to get rid of the remnants of pure magic? Wouldn't you want to keep souvenirs from this epic journey of yours from a woman to a mother? Stretch marks from childhood to adulthood are symbols of growth. Think of them as a reminder of your internal transition from a child to an adult, from innocence to maturity, from easily influenced to influential; they show how much you've grown as a person.

Birthmarks and moles are something unique to you and only you. Why would you want to hide or get rid of your uniqueness? Scars tell the tale of your strength. Accidents, surgery and burn scars depict you as a warrior; I refrain from using the term 'survivor'. You fought a battle and you won, end of story. Suffering from vitiligo, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, and other conditions? Do take medications as advised by your doctor but if cannot be helped, embrace it and don't hide yourself or the marks from the world, showing your marks may feel embarrassing to you but trust me, once people start noticing you they will admire your courage and others like you will feel empowered. When I look at Winnie Harlow, I feel so proud of her! I admire her courage, will and love for her own body. You too need to help us make this world a better place.

What's up with the obsession of having a skin tone opposite of your natural one?? White girls want to get tanned and brown girls want to get fairer. Totally your choice what you want to do with your skin but please don't opt for harmful chemicals. The obsession with getting fairer skin is so high in the South Asian community that women bleach their skin! Yes you read that right. Women use creams that bleach your facial hair and skin. Why are we not happy with our own colors? How do expect yourself to be happy in life without being happy in your own skin? Having body hair is one of the natural characteristics of mammals just as mammary glands and 12 pairs of cranial nerves are. Then why are women shamed for having body hair and expected to shave or wax them off? Apparently, they make us look masculine. Well guess what, men have nipples too so are we telling them to get rid of those just because it's a feminine feature? No we don't. The society bullies women to get rid of their body hair. They're my hair and it's my choice what to do with them. I will wear shorts, skirts and dresses without shaving when I feel like and I will shave them off when I feel like. My body is mine and it is entirely up to me to do whatever I want with it.

Go look at yourself in the mirror without finding a single flaw. Admire yourself; tell yourself you're the most beautiful person you've ever seen and smile; because smile is the only thing that can enhance your beauty. PS don't tear down other women just because they don't look like you. Empower yourself as well as them. Keep giving out compliments to one another.

Everybody and every body is beautiful.