Today, just like any other day, I was going about my business in the shower.
Washing my hair, scrubbing my skin with soap, and finally coating my legs with shaving cream. Trying to shave with speed so I could get the hell out already, and finish getting ready for the day. Oh, to be a girl.
As i began to shave, i began to ponder about what i was really doing. Showering to be hygienic is something that makes obvious sense, and keeps us as human beings healthy in many ways. But shaving my legs?
I wouldn’t consider smooth legs a part of getting clean…so why the fuck am I spending so much time in here doing so?
Hmm…as i continued to shave, my thoughts grew deeper. To be shaved as a woman is to be a ‘lady’ and is viewed as attractive, and a social norm. Women, although born with hairy legs, armpits, etc, are supposed to shave in order to be perceived as feminine, and attractive. “Girls are supposed to be smooth.” Shit like that.
Who created these ideas? I’d love to know, because personally, shaving is annoying, at times painful, and a huge waste of my time. I would truly enjoy questioning this person as to why this ever came about.
Those who judge others, or are disgusted with NATURAL hair on the female body needs to take a step back and question their emotions and judgement.
For so long I have followed these social norms without question, and right now, as i’m writing this, feel stupid for wasting so much time blindly participating in such.
How much time have I wasted in the shower shaving myself to be viewed as attractive?
Apparently, we spend 72 days of our lives shaving. Freakin’ Google it.
How unfair is it that women are frowned upon if hairy, and JUDGED by men who walk around with their uncontrollable, extreme (compared to that of mine) hair? It disgusts me. But let’s not forget to mention the fact that women judge other women, as well.
I once had a close guy friend tell me, “You should shave your arms…and knuckles. They’re pretty hairy.” As he said this I felt myself blush out of embarrassment and shock, and at the same time, grow to be insulted and pissed off. This friend of mine was loud, and always spoke his mind, whether it be positive or negative.
I’d always admired that, because at least then I actually knew what he was thinking. He was real, and rather than go behind your back, would say it to your face. So at the same time, I was glad he said it.
All of these emotions and thoughts triggered off of my body hair?
Ridiculous.
This experience at the time didn’t hold too much significance, but did stir up some pretty intense emotions…although, I never spent time to try and understand why.
So why, then?
I was also someone who just accepted it, and followed without question. I’m not writing this to force my beliefs on anyone, but rather ponder about, and at least see my point of view. We need to learn to use our minds.
We need to be able to see shaving for what it really is- a warped perception of what’s ‘attractive’ in today’s weird world. I almost want to purposely not shave, to weed out all the morons who think this way…but don’t know if I have the confidence.
This i do know though, those who judge women on this topic need to open their minds, and see passed society’s bullshit idea of what is ‘beautiful’. As far as I’m concerned, beauty is being healthy- on all levels.
Physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, the list goes on.
Why not replace the time we spend in the shower shaving ourselves with time spent trying to better ourselves, on these levels? That’s what important.
And those who continue to put someone down, or judge based on something that is natural, (as well as a part of them!) are also wasting their time.
I have found myself questioning all that i ever viewed as physically attractive…
All i have to say is wow. How shallow is this world?
We as human beings have been around how long, and still have these kinds of ideas?
We need to break free. We need to question all that we were raised to accept as normal. The word ‘normal’ makes me chuckle.
Someone please define what ‘normal’ is, right now. I can only imagine the ignorant answers I’d receive…NORMAL DOESN’T EXIST GUYZ
Friends, enemies, all of humanity…Let’s expand our minds. Let’s all grow, separately and together. With our own personal ideas, and thoughts, without shutting one another out.
We need to open ourselves beyond our own beliefs and traditions, to truly understand
ourselves and each other, as well as the world we live in today.
Once we do so, I truly believe it will become a better place for every single one of us,
as different as we are. I think our differences are beautiful, especially when it comes to thought.
So let’s focus on sharing our real beauty with one another, with open minds. I bet I could learn so much from those of you reading right now, with your own thoughts stirring about. I would love to hear, whether you agree or not. I value your thoughts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, it means so much to me.
Stay hairy, ladies. Hairy…and hygienic.
(Update: I wrote this a few months ago, and since then have not shaved my legs once. I proudly strut around with the breeze blowing my leg hairs about, for all to see.)
awake93 