I know that I've been M.I.A. on this blog. A year ago this was my life, my love. Now, I feel like I have grown apart from this blog. I am not the same girl from last year. A lot has happened to me to create a beautiful change, a change that is ongoing. Don't think this is the end. This is only the beginning. I have created a new blog that I feel is more of the girl I am now and the girl I want to be. Superstars, I would love for you to continue to follow me on this rocky journey called life.2weekstay.blogspot.com. Thank you for reading all of my nonsense.
Head back. Mouth open. Eyes open wide. These are steps most girls and some men take to start their day. The notorious mascara routine is a system that is a dread to go through, but can result in fabulous lashes. Yes, it's risky a job. There's a possibility that you could stab your eye or ruin an amaze-balls eye look, but it is worth the risk. I mean who wouldn't want eyelashes that could make you *insert unit of measurement* closer to God?
Superstars, I am not going to give you an in-depth tutorial of my mascara routine. You could go on YouTube and find the routine that best fits you. Instead, I am going to present you with a question. Have you ever had a mascara thought? You know like an intensely, deep brain production that could land you a TED talk. The type of thought that throws you further than any swanky New York Yankee player could. A thought that no cup of coffee or Harvard education could produce. It's just a simple thought that could change the world.
" Who's going to love me if I don't love myself?" "Am I ever going to have a say with my body?" "Is it possible for me to be an extreme Liberal and a Christian?" "What is going on with the adoption system?" "Am I going to be talked down to today?" "Am I going to be noticed?" "What are we living for?" "Does God watch us like a cartoon?" "In Heaven, do you see everything? Do you see people lie, fail, and … have sex?" "Will I ever leave this town?"
"What am I living for?"
These are all thoughts I have encountered while applying mascara. Thinking such deep things at nonfunctional hours, could be the reason I over clump my lashes or apply more mascara to my lids than lashes. Am I the only person that thinks about "out there" things while doing such a normal thing? Am I? Superstars, please let me know I'm not alone.
The image above is an inside visual of how my updates start. I'm usually lounging in bed, laptop on knee, staring at the layer of homework I have to do for the upcoming week. My mind plays the rhythmic game of left to right a.k.a. "Should I burn the midnight oil or allow my pimples to heal?" If you can't catch my drift, I'm saying should I study into the late hours of night or get my beauty rest. I'm choosing to get my beauty rest. First, I must give you the scoop about my week.
This week was actually quite crummy. Being a teenager, is almost like battling depression. You can have your "high" weeks where your grades look dandy, you carelessly laugh with friends, and there's nothing weighing you down. Out of the blue, you can experience a "low" week. A week where you just aren't performing your best on test, you question friendships, and with every step you take you find it harder to make the next move. I experienced a week like that.
I have had "low" weeks in the past, so I know that I can get back up from this one. I know there is light in the future, and I am ready to put on my sunglasses and step forward.
Some interesting things has happened this week like… my obsession with Latin music. Superstars, it is absolutely one of the best genres to jam out to! I am not fluent in Spanish, but that does not stop me from attempting to sing my heart out to Celia Cruz. Latin music is really the only way I can make it through a workout.
Speaking of working out, I have been consistent with exercising lately. It's actually my favorite part of the day because I can ditch the books and… listen to Latin music. Mother nature is currently raining on me (comment below if you know what I mean), so I've been having insane food cravings. Of course, I cave in and satisfy my taste buds. I just make sure to work 10x harder at burning calories.
Before every workout, I have a cup of Yogi green tea.
It doesn't have much flavor, but I know it's doing my body good. The strange thing is is that I drink it from a cup that has "Coffee Time" written on. Isn't that funny?
As for an update on my fashion style, I'm finding myself in the gray area of being an edgy, bohemian Southern Belle. Can you even picture that in your head?
Boys? Well, I wouldn't mind sharing a few unpleasant words with one particular boy. You know, just to straighten him out. As for another, I don't want to do anything to scare him off. I'm Sarah E., so anything I do could scare him off.
Whew! I think that's all, Superstars. I know my week probably seemed extremely random to you. Hey, it was to me. I enjoy doing these because it directs my mind away from the negative events I experienced. Sharing my life with you, shows me that what I thought was a bad week wasn't all that bad. I mean, I lived to share it with you!
From the time I started school, I preferred hanging with boys. No, I was not the girl playing "doctor" behind the teacher's back. I was just the easy going girl that got along better with guys. Let's be honest, girls come out of the womb gossiping or "(fill in the blank) talking".
To this day, I can pull up a chair to a table full of guys and talk. When it comes to sports, I'm silent. I only chime in when I hear a well-known athlete's name. By chiming in, I mean mentioning how good they look in their uniforms.
Reflecting on myself, I see parts of the same Sarah E. from preschool. For some, that could be a bad thing. Honestly, I don't think it's bad. As long as I can remember, I have always been a person strong in my beliefs. Whether that was thinking Ken needed to ditch Barbie to women having the choice over THEIR bodies, my beliefs and thought process have been shaped by ME. My beliefs have been influenced, but not brainwashed into me.
I'm noticing the more I join predominantly male tables the more I am encountering bias, uninformed, gullible, and brainwashed young men. I know I probably sound like a five letter word right now, but I am an honest blogger. It hurts me to see such young, intelligent individuals fall into the traps of society. To see these boys believe anything that enters their ears is mind-blowing. You do not even want to know how I react when they have the audacity to talk over me and repeat the one-sided facts they have consumed from "valid sources"(Examples: televised news, youth leaders, people they have not ever experienced a period, etc.).
In my opinion, that is unattractive. A guy without their own beliefs is a complete turnoff. If I wanted my ears to bleed from invalid facts, I could turn on my TV.
I have to say through Ayn Rand's bizarre thinkings there were some treasures.
I feel that each one of us is blessed with a mind. A mind that is able to decipher things differently. We have mouths and hands that were meant for expressing how we feel. Do not forget, we also have ears to hear everyone's side. Times are changing. Now, is the time to establish what you want to believe. It's beautiful to see a guy have the courage to say what is on his mind. HIS mind. It's beautiful to see them express what they have thought so deeply about, and not repeat the same nonsense that was on a conservative news station or what their father told them. To me, a guy with his own beliefs, no matter how bizarre they are, makes him the most attractive creature.
Tomorrow I will be going back to my typical attitude of living only for Friday. Yes, I will be returning back to school. My lovely Spring Break will be over in less than twelve hours, and I have not came up with an excuse to stay in my cozy bed. I guess I can only turn to Destiny's Child "Survivor" to get me through the place I would dislike thinking about.
Before I go back to school, I thought it would be nice to give you an update of my life. The events I'm about to tell you about happened in no particular order.
Let's start with boys! Don't worry, Superstars, I'm still single, but I have developed a few crushes. When I have a crush, the guy is nothing but trouble or doesn't have a clue I exist. I'll leave it you to decide which is worse. Personally, I think it's a sign from God that I don't really need a companion. Companion. That is actually a funny word for someone my age to use.
This month I learned what it was like to lose someone. My grandmother, a person I truly loved, passed away. I had been preparing myself for a long time for her death. Honestly, the more you expect things the more surprise you are. I did not ever imagine how hard it would be to lose someone's presence on Earth. It was definitely a healing process. I am not completely healed yet, but I am strong enough to realize that my grandmother will forever be with me.
On a lighter note, I finally have a new skincare routine! As most of you know, I am a former Accutane user. I am now four months post the medication! This is the first time in years I have been satisfied with my skin. 99% of my satisfaction is due to Accutane, but the other one percent is due to the new products I have been using. Although the products cost a pretty penny, I am extremely satisfied with the results.
Fashion. Superstars, I know you have not seen a lot of fashion here on this blog lately. Don't get me wrong, I love clothes. I'm just in a place where I want to blog about clothes. Honestly, I don't even want to buy clothes. I am growing as a blogger, and I feel that I want to expand my writing from the girl I was over the summer. Also, I'm trying to find myself when it comes to my personal style. While cleaning out my closet, I realized I was over so many things in my wardrobe. The more I mature the more my style changes. I'm clueless about how I want to dress. So, I would rather save my money and wait until I find my style.
I'm sure you all have heard of the Vitamix blender. If you haven't, it is one powerful machine. This week I welcomed it into my kitchen. No, it is not part of my "health kick". I would have started that the day after New Years. Yes, I am now taking more steps to a healthier life. I feel like my mind and body are at point where they connect. A point where I can stay focus and lose weight. I'm not
I finally saw the movie where this quote is from. I bet you know what movie it is from.
trying to look a certain way. I want to feel a certain way… a better way. I think everyone has experienced or will experience a time when they feel good about their bodies. I experienced that before… five years ago. Now, I am trying to get back to that place.
You see a lot has taken place in my life thus far. I could go on, but there's a point you must put a period on your past. Plus, I feel you know more about what is going on in my mind then my friends do. In a way, I like that. Feel free to comment below with an update of your life.
I'm sure you have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous. Don't you think there should be SA, a Student Anonymous group? The idea sounds grand. Students would gather to vent about their unhappy teachers and the loads of homework that must be finished before they can count sheep. I guess SA groups already exist in high school cafeterias across the U.S. If there ever was an official Student Anonymous program, here's how I would introduce myself.
" Hello, I'm Sarah Elizabeth and I had twelve test in five days," I would say.
The cute boy (just imagine it) across from me would ask," How did you get through it?"
Releasing a breath, I would give him a one word answer," God."
Honestly, that was the only way I've been getting through my test. I didn't just get through them, but I passed them with A's. Yes, I did study from the hours of 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.During my study sessions, my mother would always come to me and say," Sarah, there's a point you just have to let it go."She was not saying stop studying and go into class with a "YOLO" attitude. My mother was telling me that I was doing all I could do, and at a certain point you have no control. You must then give your control and trust back to God. You have to "let go and let God."
Truthfully, that is the hardest thing to do. Why? I can't speak for everyone, but I'm going to speak for myself. I am a believer of God, but I'm not a perfect believer. There are times when I take do two steps back, ignore the presence of God, and only trust in myself. Basically, I have times when I don't go to God for things. I only depend on myself. Sounds stressful? Well, those times are stressful. So stressful I found myself midday in the E.R., patiently waiting for my doctor to fill out a prescription for anxiety medication.
I thought my good grades was the result of me staying up late, reworking problems multiple times, and just being naturally smart. I did not ever think it could have been because of God. Shouldn't that have been my first thought? I mean, He is the one that has blessed me with a new day for the past sixteen years. It wasn't my first thought, and I had to learn the hard way.
It wasn't just my mother's advice that played a role in me letting go, but I kept coming across Matthew 11:28 - 30. To me the verses are saying, go to God with whatever is heavy on your heart. Give your burdens to him, but you must be willing to take on his burden. Don't be scared. His burden is far lighter than ours, and all he wants is your trust.
When I gave my trust to God, I had to humble myself. I even admitted to God how hard it was for me to give him complete control over how I would do on my test. It was hard for me to let go, but it would have been far harder if I would have taken those test alone.
The school year is coming to its closing stages. Standardized tests are on their way and finals will soon be knocking on the door. Superstars, I will like to leave you with a prayer my sweet mother granted me with. It's perfect for the smallest quiz to the exam that determines if you pass a course. The prayer is from a prayer book. It's an emergency prayer entitled "I Need Grace to Pass an Exam".
"O God, what peace and comfort there is to know that You are all- knowing and there is never a question that baffle You. Therefore, I come boldly to Your throne of grace so that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help me pass the is very important exam( Hebrews 4:16). yes, I'm doing my part by studying, but I am not trusting in myself for a successful outcome because Your Word says that he who trusts in himself is a fool ( Proverbs 28: 26).
My eyes are on the Holy Spirit to show me what I do not know and bring everything I study to my remembrance (John 14:26). I praise You, Father, for You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. You reveal deep and secret things; You know what is in the darkness, and light dwells with You ( Daniels 2: 21-22). I stand in faith that You will reveal the answers to whatever part of the exam that I find myself in the darkness.
I thank You and praise You in advance, O God, for giving me wisdom, insight, and making known to me the answers to the exam ( Daniel 2: 23). i will give You all the glory and will resist any pride as a result of this victory. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen."
Love ya,
Sarah E.
Here's a peek into my Saturday.
I must shamelessly admit, while I was typing this post I was getting my groove on to the Grateful Dead.
It's a game that we all play without evening knowing it. The game where we so casually say to one another,"Why I can't I have your *insert unique feature*?", but think so deeply about. It is such a popular game even twins play it.
Why do we wish to be magically metamorphosed into some unobtainable figure? There is one Miley, one Jenna, and one Sarah Elizabeth (okay there are probably five million Sarah Elizabeths, but each one is unique). Have you ever thought about a giant bubble you would be placed in if you did have the feature you yearned to have? You would be just another girl with the mole on the left side of her chin. Or the chick with the cool baby hairs that lay just right. Do you just want to be another girl? Gosh, it's starting sound like I'm giving dating advice.
What I'm trying to say is, accept what you have. What you have is so much more than what you don't have. Remember that! Having two slightly slanted eyes is better than having one good eye
. And unruly eyebrows is WAY better than having no eyebrows. Go ahead and imagine yourself with a giant hairless space on your forehead.
Let's be real women and put the "Chang Me" game away.
Over the weekend, I decided to ditch my normal hair routine. I decided to go for a different look, a more natural look.
That's right, Superstars! I wanted to be Ms. Curly Q. It has been three months since my last relaxer, so straight hair has been a pain to maintain. Saturday, I told my hairdresser," Let's do something new,"which are words that rarely come out of mouth. After this new hairstyle, I think I'm going to start saying the four word phrase more often.
I decided to turn left on my typically straight path after much thought. For years, I have always tried to style my hair to society's approval. As an African American female, I know the struggles associated with hair. We feel a certain pressure to wear our hair a certain way to avoid being looked down by society. That "way" (No I'm not trying to quote Ariana Grande) is having straight, silky hair which is far from an average black girl's hair texture. That way has led to countless dollars spent, clumps of hair swept off the floor, and much wincing whenever a hot tool comes near the scalp.
I am guilty of trying to keep an outer appearance to avoid looks of disapproval by opposing races. Well, those days are gone. Not only, do I want to be happy. I want my hair to be happy, healthy, and free of all worries. Worries of being categorized into a downgrading group or looked upon as being something I'm not. I refuse to worry about those things again.
This is my first actual natural hairstyle since my last relaxer in November, and I couldn't be happier. It was so easy for my hair to be styled like this rather than the harsh methods I must do to get the "straight look".
With this new look, I don't think my hair will be encountering a straightener for a while. Instead of having society's approval, I finally have my strands approving to my decision.
It is not a surprise that women and men think differently. Women, the more relatable and soft (but not weak) gender, are known for thinking based on emotion. They put themselves in other people's shoes. We think about how not only ourselves would be affected, but how everyone involved would be affected. Men are known for thinking with what they have between their legs. Either gender's way of thinking prevents them from doing certain things. For women, putting their emotions first sometimes prevents us from being assigned a high leadership role. Men's way of thinking can lead them to temptation and prevent them from being a good leader or man in general.
I feel that our minds are powerful, and should think beyond borders. As a blogger, I want my viewers to think. Here are two scenarios I would like to leave you with to better express how I feel with the way genders think.
Let's say you have a female who is the director of a well-known, locally owned facility. The facility has been partners with the top private school in town for years. It even grants a $10,000 scholarship to a student of the school that meets the requirements. A high school student, let's call her Rebecca, files papers and does other assistant duties in the facility's office. One day Rebecca comes across an ad for the scholarship. She goes to the director and asks more about the free money she could earn. "You see you're not qualified to receive this scholarship, since you don't attend the school," the director tells her. Hiding her disappointment, Rebecca excuses herself to return to her work. The director senses something is wrong and wants to know more about Rebecca's interest in the scholarship. "Well, I kind of have to pay for college myself. My parents are having a hard time making ends meet."The director takes this information into consideration. She knows the students at the private school have had money set aside for their college tuition since before their existence. Maybe one year the school can go without the scholarship."I see what I could do," she tells Rebecca.
Is it wrong that this female let her emotions get involved.
An elite law firm has just posted internship opening. This opening is only opened for one law hopeful. One of the leading attorneys at the firm is over the interview and hiring process. There are two candidates. Both female. One graduated from a top in state school. She has completed hours of community service, even while she studied aboard. If she got the internship, this would be her second year of experience. Meet the second candidate, a graduate of a standard in state school. She has community service hours, but not as much as the other. Her only experience in law comes from her studies in college and from what her father has told her of his cases. You would think the first candidate would get the internship. Sadly, she didn't. The lawyer chose the second candidate because he thought she was more "socially attractive". According to him, her long well kept hair and tailored suits was what he considered more professional than the first candidate's short bob (she decided to cut her hair after a time in the hot Africa sun) and Target work clothes she made to the best of her abilities look department store bought.
Please comment with the way feel about the scenarios or on how you feel with the way genders think.
Today, I decided to take a scroll through my notes app. I don't know what gave me the urge to do such a thing. Normally, I dislike going through things from the past. I mean, it was difficult experiencing something one time…why would I want to relive it? But for once I'm happy ( I know such a preschool way of describing a feeling), I dug up something from the past. That something is a treasure.
The summer before my freshman year I decided to save a list of advice from Mary Schmich. This advice is what she would have given if she had a chance to deliver a commencement speech. It is titled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young", better known as "Wear Sunscreen". When I first copied and pasted the helpful information, I had the intention of reading the note daily or weekly (We've all been there. Making big plans and never going through with them i.e. New Year's resolutions). This morning was the first time I came across it since the summer of 2012.
I'm not upset with myself for not reading the information like I had planned. I think certain things come into our laps when we need it the most. I am a depressed, hard-working, sometimes miserable, lazy, emotionless, PMSing, and dramatic teenager. This advice is what I need, along with a month long break from school and a gallon of ice cream. But I think the powerful words of advice from Ms. Schmich is more reasonable and life changing. Take the time to read or watch the video. I recommend doing both along with copying and pasting the advice into your notes app.
Or take the time to watch the video (It includes relaxing background music.)
Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
*Wear sunscreen.
*Enjoy the power and beauty of youth.
*You are not as fat as you imagine.
*Don't worry about the future or worry,but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
*The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind...the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
*Do one thing every day that scares you.
*Sing.
*Don't be reckless with other peoples's hearts,don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
*Floss.
*Don't waste your time on jealousy;sometimes you're ahead,sometimes you're behind.
*The race is long,and in the end,it's only with yourself.
*Remember compliments you receive,forget the insults.If you succeed in doing this...tell me how.
*Keep your old love letters,throw away your old bank statements.
*Stretch.
*Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
*Get plenty of calcium.
*Be kind to your knees,you'll miss them when they're game.
*Maybe you'll marry,maybe you won't...Maybe you'll have children,maybe you won't … maybe you'll divorce at 40... Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.
Whatever you do don't congratulate yourself too much or berate,yourself either.
*Your choices are half chance...so are everybody else's.
*Enjoy your body...Use it every way you can.Don't be afraid of it,or what other people think of it.It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
*Dance,Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
*Read the directions,even if you don't follow them.
*Do NOT read beauty magazines,they will only make you feel UGLY.
*Get to know your parents...you never know when they'll be gone for good...Be nice to your siblings...They are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
*Understand that friends come and go ,but for the precious few you should hold on.
*Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle,because the older you get,the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
*Live in New York City once,but leave before it makes you hard.
*Live in Northern California once,but leave before it makes you soft.
*Travel.
*Accept certain inalienable truths.
*Prices will rise,politicians will philander,you too will get old...and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young,prices were reasonable,politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
*Respect your elders.
*Don't expect anyone else to support you.
*Maybe you have a trust fund,maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse,but you never know when either one might run out.
*Don't mess too much with your hair,or by the time you're 40,it will look 85.
*Be careful where advice you buy,but,be patient with those who supply it.
*Advice is a form of nostalgia,dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal,wiping it off,painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than its worth.
I recently came across this image the other day. If you can't read the text, then here it is:
"I think a lot of overweight girls are hypocrites. I'm naturally tall and skinny, I eat what I want, I don't starve myself, and I am beautiful. So why are you allowed to love your 'curves' but it's wrong for me to love my 'bones'? Why is it okay for you to call me anorexic, but horrible for me to call you fat? If you can tell me to 'gain weight', why can't I tell you to lose weight? If you can feel beautiful for being big, I can feel beautiful for being small. Get over it."
I am in no way a skinny girl. You cannot see my bones, but you can definitely see my rolls. I have been able to wear women's clothing since my elementary school years. So imagine how I felt when I saw this picture. Imagine how I felt when I read those white letters typed across the image.
This message is hurting and quite childish. Yes, there is a sick game that exist between skinny and bigger girls. It's 2014, as the female race, we still have not realize that we are the same species. All girls have more in common than what they think. We all have battles against mother nature. We have the same opening between our legs. And we all have to deal with sexist at school and in the workplace. So why do we have this battle going on amongst us?
Do you want to know why this hurts me? Why this image brings me close to tears? It is not because I am facing the truth. I am a big girl and not a hypocrite. I am hurt because whoever said this does not know what it is like to wear a size 12. I don't what it is like to be skinny, but I know what it is like to sit in front of a computer screen and search for ways to lose weight. I know want it is like to spend summers trying to lose weight, but not ever coming close to my goal. I know what it is like not to be a victim, but a survivor of bullying.
Skinny is looked at as being beautiful. Women have been taught since the beginning to hate any fat or unnecessary weight on them. Recently, women have gained confidence to love the extra weight on them. Bigger girls weren't called beautiful from the jump. They had to search for that beauty from within. They didn't wait for society to call them beautiful. They found it in themselves.
There are a million people that would love a skinny model, but there is only so many people that would love a plus size girl. You want to know who that is? 1) Themselves 2) their mothers 3)if they are lucky, then their boyfriends 4) the Chili's waiter because big girls are great tippers.
If you are skinny, please do not think I am bashing you. If any big girl has offended you, I am sorry. You shouldn't give a flip what people say about you. You should love your bones just like I am learning to love my curves. And if this apology and encouragement isn't enough, then continue to call me and other girls that wear larges fat. I'll continue to pray for the day we can unite and share a sundae without being insecure of what the other thinks.
To my bigger girls, love yourself because this world isn't mature enough to be to love all our thickness. Do not think any less of yourself. There is more to you (much more than your weight) own it, but do not hate on others for owning and working what they have.
Girls in general, stop this name-calling, vicious, prejudice, female, unsisterlike, unladylike battle. Like Macklemore said,"We have to change us." We make up a majority of society. We have played a role in this divide. It is time for us to open our eyes and realize that we are all beautiful. We are reproducers of generations to come. Do you really want your daughter to be thrown into this battle and deal with bruises from hate? Be a soldier and fight this fight. Stand up for what is right!
The next time you wake from your slumber I want you to think,"What if I didn't wake up this morning?". I know it is quite a scary thought and a terrifying way to start your day, but there are people that say,"Do you one thing a day that scares you." Let thinking that one thought, be the thing that scares you.
I want you to think this because I want each one of you, including myself, to live each day doing something that is simple, but remarkable to you in so many ways. Ask yourself if you didn't get a chance to take one breath today, was yesterday worth being your last day? Most of you, wouldn't know. Well, you were bless with another day to live, meaning God has something in storage for you.You just have to get off the couch and have the strength to take it out
.
There are so many ways to make your today better than your yesterday. They are so many ways to make your present brighter than your past, which will lead to an even shinier future. Make a change. Say what is on your mind. Smile at the person you don't know from Adam or the person you know so well that you use their name and hate in the same sentence. Watch the news and see what is going on in the world. Read the newspaper and see what is going on in your community. Write something good about yourself. Take a selfie and don't delete it. Tell yourself that you are beautiful. Give something you have to someone that goes without it. Give something you want to someone that needs it. Hug your mother. Don't roll your eyes at your father. Give a sincere compliment to someone. Ask someone how their day is going. Don't be afraid to breakaway from your clique, even if it is only for a lunch period. Do something!
Do something! Do it! Because if you didn't wake up today, you wouldn't have been able to do anything!
Days before the start of 2014, I had to do something for myself. I decided to delete my Twitter and Instagram. Yes, it's fine if you just dropped your jaw. Social media has become a hobby people cannot live without, especially my age group. It's like teenager's crack. I'll be the first to admit, I did become too addicted.
I made my Twitter and Instagram during the summer. The purpose of them was to keep you, Superstars, informed about my latest post. Soon, my Twitter became a thing I checked every five minutes and I was constantly scrolling through my Instagram. I knew around late summer it was becoming a problem when I would get upset at people I did not even know for having private accounts. Feel free to call me a teenage stalker.
My social media addiction grew and grew. It even opened a door of jealousy. I would see my favorite beauty gurus and bloggers wearing amazing outfits and buying the latest makeup products. I wanted those things, but I knew I couldn't afford them. So, I began to envy people who could.
I became so consumed with the life of others, and soon realized I was unhappy with my own. I constantly felt like I didn't have enough clothes. I would never have the friends other teen girls pose with in pictures. Oh, and I felt completely miserable by the amount of followers other people had. Thankfully, I had a light bulb moment. Pictures and updates posted on Instagram and Twitter aren't the most authentic things. Let's be real, we live in a world of phonies.
We are living in an age where people are just living for the perfect Instagram picture. Friends don't just randomly snap a picture of the perfect couple kissing. It's planned. Pictures of people with their backs turned looking up at the sky with an artistic quote as the caption do not just happen with a blink of the eye. People plan these moments out. They invest money in the best editing apps. They buy iPhones based on how the picture quality is. They pick out the right outfit for just one picture downtown. People plan out their lives for shallow purposes. And we, as the viewers, look up to these people. We like their pictures and favorite their tweets. We even bring ourselves down for not living the lives of the people in the picture. But we fail to realize that the people posing are dealing with the same things we are. They are scrolling through other people's Instagram pictures and thinking,"Wow, I wish I had that dress,"or "I wonder what filter that person used."
I had to erase myself from the social media world. It was adding too much pressure to my life (Boy, do I sound like a dramatic teen). After I deleted my two profiles, I realized quite a few things about myself. I have plenty of clothes. Not to brag, but I still have a handful of items with price tags on them from August. I don't live my life by artistic quotes. I try to live my life by the words of the Bible. I may not have friends to hang out with on the weekend, but it's better than taking pictures with people I rarely speak to on a daily basis.
Superstars, I hope I don't sound too obnoxious or judge-y in this post. I just needed to release some feelings. I mean, this is an outlet!
It's time to take down the Christmas trees. It's time to start your journey for the New Year of becoming a more humane citizen. And it's time to find clothes that cover all the holiday pounds. Let me tell now, stay away from the stripes.
Sure, a stripe tee is lovely paired with cropped boyfriend jeans… in the spring. Most likely, you are not satisfied with your current weight. That is completely okay. We all went back for the extra servings on Thanksgiving and ate too many sugar cookies on Christmas Eve.
Think of this as your pre- season. You are not in your best shape, but you are fighting to get there. Until then, find clothes that will flatter your body. Stripes, a trend guilty of its boxy look, will not help you look like your pre holiday self, especially if you are wearing a striped sweater.
Don't think you have to cover yourself with the first thing you find in your closet. We all have that one piece we want to cover our bodies in, but it is so unflattering like the stripe sweater. Throw it out, honey. Opt for a classic black turtleneck paired underneath a faux fur vest. It is possible to dress like a star with a few extra pounds. I mean I do it everyday.
