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Wednesday, April 29, 2009 |
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| Be Real |
 Hey Fab Gals!
We may have never had royalty in this country, the USA. But these days celebrities are getting closer and closer. Not so much in they way they act. I mean, sure, they do make lots and lots of money, and go to fancy events in beautiful gowns and jewels. But I don't think that is so much the problem as the power we think celebrity holds.
Like the other day, I was watching TV and this guy was talking about "everyday heroes" and why we should only look up to "real people" (Susan Boyle being one of them). I get what he was saying - our best role models are often people we know. But I think we often use those words too much -"real people." Like, these are "real people" and these are "celebrities." See what I'm saying? We act like celebrities aren't even humans. It's true that many of them have worked themselves into (what seems to be) very extravagant, extraordinary lives. But they're still people.
The reason I think this is a problem is that we see the glamorous, beautiful pictures of these non-humans and we like less-than. It's like their lives have some unreachable fabulocity that we won't ever have. We are just normal people with normal lives and normal, normal everything.
Just keep that in mind next time you see a glam red-carpet shot and you wish you were more like your favorite star. Because, believe it or not, her problems might equally real. And even more, your life might be equally fabulous. We're all just people.
xoxo
The Fab Gal Labels: body image, celebrities, fab gal, media |
posted by Fab Gal @ 1:43 PM   |
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009 |
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| Body, Voice, & Soul |
Hello FGs!
It's just about died down now, but there was a whole lot of buzz - both on YouTube and the news - about Britain's Got Talent "shocker" Susan Boyle People were not only surprised because the girl has a voice - it seemed everyone was amazed that someone who looks like she does, whatever that means, can actually sing well.
It's not like she doesn't deserve the praise. She does. I mean, that girl can sing! But it just seems to me that she hasn't been given it the way she deserves. It's almost like a back-handed compliment. Like, "Wow, we saw you and thought you would be terrible. But you're not. Good for you!" Um, ouch? It kind of puts us in a difficult position - it seems nice, but it's almost perpetuating the stereotype that pop stars have to look a certain way, or even that people with talent must fit one definition of beauty. Actually, in ways it's like what happened with Jessica Simpson. What on earth does her body size have to do with her voice?
Of course, it's impossible to take looks or our bodies completely out of the equation. But I think it's better to look at people - and yourself - as a whole package. Yes, our bodies are important. But that's only one piece of it. They can change. Whether Susan was having a good hair day or a bad one - that doesn't need to be the focus. She's a whole person. We need to appreciate all parts of someone.
xoxo
The Fab Gal
PS - check out this video of Susan Boyle, and watch for everyone's reactions. (Thanks Alexis!)Labels: beauty, body activism, celebrities, fab gal, media |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 7:45 PM |
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Friday, April 17, 2009 |
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| You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home |
Happy Friday, Fab Gals!
The school year is winding down, and I can (almost) taste summer. But before I jump ahead to daydreaming about lying by the pool and spending my days reading Twilight and going to the mall, I have been thinking about all that's happened over this last year. I got the opportunity to try out what I think every teen dreams of: living away from home. Don't get me wrong, i love my parents. But I was dying for the chance to be a new, grown-up, independent me. I figured that this would be my chance to try real freedom.
It's funny, because while most of this year has gone by in a blur, I distinctly remember the morning that I left home. I went for my last jog around the neighborhood, and with my house in sight and my New Life just hours away... I tripped. Flat on my face. I remember ending up at the kitchen counter, with Dr. Dad cleaning up my knee and putting on my Band-Aids.
When I dreamed about what this year would be, I thought things would be so different, that I wouldn't need any help at all. I didn't know that morning would be more of a reflection of my year than could have imagined. I certainly have had my adventures, and I've been learning how to take care of myself. But there have been just as many times that I've fallen down and had bad days. And where did I find myself? Back home.
Wanting to grow up and be independent and have your own space is normal. Fab Gals are big dreamers. But I guess what I've learned is that growing up, well, it doesn't have to mean growing away. And it also means that, at the end of the day, you really don't always have to do it all yourself, and you don't always have to have it all together. Sometimes it's even better to know who will put on your band-aids when you fall down.
xoxo
The Fab GalLabels: advice, fab gal, family, girls, life lessons, teens |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 5:31 PM |
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Monday, April 13, 2009 |
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| Believe in Me |
"I think that the only person who really doesn't trust you is you."
That's what went through my brain the other day, in the middle of pancakes and Good Morning America. I was eating breakfast, and already the running list of what I was up against for the day, the week was going through my head. Science project, boys, working out... Doesn't sound so bad. But I was really scared. I was sure I couldn't handle any of it, that nothing would go quite right.
And you know what? Maybe that feeling is completely normal. But it's all in how you translate it. It can either be, "Gosh, this must be really important to me. Let's see what I can do." Or it could be,"I am so stressed out. There's no way I can do any of this right."
Anyways, where I was going is this: I wonder how many times we think we're coming up against big obstacles, but we're really just setting up our own battles. Think about it - have you ever admitted to someone that you were worried you were gaining weight, or you sure you were going to mess up an audition, and they acted like they had no idea what you were talking about? Well, that's probably because they can really see how amazing and wonderful and talented you really are. Or think about this - have you ever had a friend or aunt tell you they think you're really beautiful, and you didn't believe it? Well, maybe it's true. And maybe right not the only person who doesn't believe in you, support, you, and have 100% trust and faith in you is, well... you.
Have you had one of those days lately, FG? Who is someone that does believe in you? Let me know what you think - I'm always here or at my e-mail, fabgalsite@gmail.com.
xoxo
The Fab GalLabels: advice, fab gal, girls, self esteem, self-confidence, teens |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 9:07 PM |
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Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
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| I Love You, Me! |
Hello FGs!
You know, people always say "self-obsessed" like its a bad thing. Okay, so sometimes it probably is. You may not want to be like Tawny from Sonny With a Chance (a new favorite of mine!) who carriers a mirror in her pocket just to take glances at herself. But sometimes, I really think girls don't take it far enough. You are the only you you've got, if that makes sense. And you're absolutely fabulous. I would be obsessed, if I were you. So here are a few things that FGs with the right amount of self-obsession know how to do:
- Appreciate Your Body - Swimsuit season is rapidly approaching, and sometimes the thought of showing that much skin can be a little more than scary. But you have to know that what you have is just fine, maybe even great. And you can feel okay showing off as little or much as you want. Easier said than done, I know. I wish I could tell you a magic trick for instant body-love, but if there is one, nobody has ever told me about it. Really it just takes practice. Some girls like to make lists of their favorite parts, or find a sport that makes them feel good. You'll get there. Check out this clip from Real Women Have Curves for some inspiration.
- Make Your Own Decisions - It's easy to go with the flow and do what your girls or your family is doing, or even to let people kinda make up your mind for you. But the only way to decide who you want to be is to, well, make decisions for you. Try things out. That can be as simple as deciding to buy Taylor Swift when all your friends are listening to Paramore, or something bigger, like deciding to go out for softball or try out for the school musical. Who knows? You might really like where it takes you - and the you that's waiting on the other side.
- Let Others Help You - This might seem like a misfit on this list. But I think that so many people don't do this enough. I know for me, I do sometimes worry about being a burden or a bother to someone. But have you ever thought it was a big pain when your BFF came to you for help? Of course not! Let the people who love you do so - your friends, your family would love to give you advice or a hand up. You may not realize how "you-obsessed" they already are.
xoxo The Fab Gal Labels: advice, fab gal, girls, self esteem, self-confidence, teens |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 8:27 PM |
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Monday, April 6, 2009 |
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| Nothing to Fear |
Hey FGs!
You know, lately I've had the opportunity of talking with and getting to know some girls who have dealt with eating disorders. And I have heard so many girls talk about dieting, weight, and their bodies to start to see a common thread, or the root of so many struggles - a fear of our bodies.
It sounds like a strange concept. But when we get to the age of growing up, our bodies get to be very unpredictable. Life begins to follow a similar pattern. But when you forget that your body is absolutely unique and works differently than anyone else's, or your ideal body is something much different than your own, sometimes your body can feel out-of-control. Add in celebrity photos, gossip, and life drama, and suddenly your body is a beast that needs to be tamed.
Diets, in my view, while sometimes seemingly "healthy" or "normal," are often a way to keep our body in check, because we're scared of what might happen otherwise. What if we let go, and suddenly gain 25 pounds? It reminds me of this commercial I saw last week for face care with the slogan, "Discipline your skin." That's so often how we approach caring for our bodies, like they need to be kept in check. Now, that's just fine for the model in the commercial - she can get paid to discipline her body. But when it's your own life, real life, it's not so fun.
It can be hard to believe, but your body does not need to be controlled, or in any way feared or punished. In that way, we are no different from each other - every body needs to be cared for and has the ability to know what it needs. Take good care of you.
xoxo
The Fab GalLabels: body image, dieting, eating disorders, fab gal, listening to your body |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 10:47 PM |
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009 |
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| Ready, Break! |
Hey FGs!
So I'lll admit it - I am definitely having an off day today. I'm not going to make excuses or blame the other side of the bed - it just is what it is. And I was really stressing out, because I realized this afternoon that today was a blog day, and for once, I had no idea what to say. Nada. It might be a first.
I kept worrying myself over it, until I asked myself, What would I tell one of my Fab Gals to do in this situation? Just take a break. We always want to be at the top of our game, doing the most, the best. But you know what? Sometimes, you just need to take a breather.
So that's all I've got for today - taking a break with a Seventeen magazine. But you aren't off the hook just yet, FG. Check out the new poll on the side - I would love to know what topics you want to hear more about so I can come up with some cool new stuff. After that, feel free to take a break from from go-go-go mode. It will be so worth it.
xoxo
The Fab Gal Labels: fab gal, listening to your body, relaxing, self care |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 8:42 PM |
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