Lately I’ve felt as if I’m talking at you, dear readers, rather than talking to you. Part of the reason I began this blog was to connect with like-minded ladies (and gents) and to forge new relationships. As I’ve contemplated how to go about this, I feel like I should be more honest. This brings me to Talk It Out Thursdays. Each week I will be bringing you an unfiltered take on what’s on my mind that week. I encourage you all to use each week’s prompt to create your own Talk It Out post, if you feel so inclined. I would love your feedback, good or bad. And we’re off!
(My Body)
So, I had this wonderful well-written, articulate post about my body image for today’s talk it out. I was going to tell you all about how I’ve felt pressure my entire life to be thin. I was going to tell you how uncomfortable I felt in my skin and how I wish I could fit into jeans without jumping up and down, lying down on my bed, and simply just sucking it in. I wanted to talk about societal pressures, family pressures, and blogging pressures.
However, this happened and I can’t ignore it. Part of me thought, leave your original post alone. It’s thoughtful and I want to know how others deal with body image issues. Then there are a number of posts (listed below) already covering Blogger-gate, as I would like to deem it. Vhani from Grit & Glamour even started a forum about it!
Do you remember this post I wrote on Bloggers & Body Image? My feelings haven’t changed. Yes, this is a problem in the blogging industry. Perhaps we’ve inherited it from the media. I can be angry at what was said in the IFB article. I can be mad about how it was handled. Or I can actually start talking about the real issue at hand and hope to start a real, meaningful conversation.
Let’s talk about blogging. Shouldn’t we feel safe and free from bodily criticism on our own blog? After all, our blogs are our realms, our second homes. I get if someone wants to criticize my content, my photos, or my style. Judge away. My body is a separate issue. My blog should not be judged on my size, my skin, my hair, or my racial background. However, it’s happening.
It’s been stated that blondes make more money than other hair colors on average. (Source) It’s also been found that skinnier women make more compared to heavier women. (Source) Attractive people in general are even paid more. (Source) This doesn’t mean it’s right. As bloggers, we each have a unique voice, so why is the focus on elsewhere? I get that fashion can be a narcisstic industry. After all, we dress up and get all made up for some reason. Does it really matter if my body’s foundation is a little different than someone else’s?
Bloggers, what are we going to do about it?
