High heels
Breast enhancing bras
Make up
Hair coloring, styling, perming
Girdles
Corsets
Nylons
Plastic surgery
All of those are things we women do or have done or endure in order to look better. Maybe some of them make us feel better about ourselves too, although, for the most part, I think they are not comfortable or fun. Why do we do all that to ourselves then? Is it to raise our own self esteem? Do we want to look better than the next Dawn, Trish or Carrie? Or do we want to look better for the next Tom, Dick or Harry? Then why do married women do these things? Is it to look good so that they can make the next woman jealous, look better for their own man or to entice another?
*sigh* I wish I knew the answer. I probably don’t do as much as most women do to make myself look my best, unless it is a special occasion or something. I am still tired of feeling fatter, uglier, shorter, etc. than the next woman. I want to feel like who I am is who I am and it doesn’t matter if my breasts are the right size, my legs are the right length or my tummy is flat. Do all women feel like this or is it just me?
I love when my husband’s eyes light up at the sight of ME. I like to do “things” to improve myself, which for me is working out and dressing in ways that express myself, for me. I like being a woman and all that comes with that I suppose. I haven’t had coffee, hope this makes sense
~ OSM
And about your question at the very end, I read too fast, sorry…. I think all women long to feel like just being themselves. And you are beautiful. I think women don’t embrace what God gave them enough and we are constantly trying to change it. I have brown hair that I wish was more red or blond– but I have brown hair. I am fine with that now, I used to not be. That is a lighter example of things women struggle with in terms of looks. If there are things to improve ones health or overall lifestyle I say do it — we all know health is important– but if someone wants to change only to be someone else then that is wrong.
Just my thoughts.
(I feel that way)
I feel that way. Especially when I get up and dread putting clothes on because I know I’m bloated. I don’t like having to say “I’m wearing my ‘fat’ jeans”
But I do like those days when, even though I’m only surrounded by babies, I’ll put on makeup and feel nice.Sometimes it makes me sad to hear “Where are you going?” (nowhere) instead of “Gee, Mom, you look nice today!”
I’m getting to the age where I do it for ME more and more.
Oh I completely do that. I wish that it was enough to look at my good features and dismiss my imperfections as nothing. I wish that I felt pretty even though my pants size may be bigger or my hair may not have product in it. I wish that there was no standard in society by which I measured myself. I wish that I could keep the feeling that I look pretty, even when I walk into a room where other women are much more put together than I am.
I don’t know who I do it for because the men in my life seem to love me the way I am, as do my friends….(men is not many studs, just male friends). I think I do it to like myself better.
it is so difficult to feel comfortable in one’s own skin when the world has such high standards.
I feel ya…. don’t know the answer here though.
I could spout how it doesn’t matter, however I’d be saying it while eyeing the laugh lines around my eyes in the mirror and wondering what kind of cream to put on them is best.
yeah, and as I say to my wife all the time, what is with you people?
am I the only guy who wants women, all women, to be comfortable and happy? well am I?
I know I feel that way!!!!
We all feel that way, no matter how we look.
We do it to ourselves. We buy the magazines that feature what actually are mutant women and tacitly tell us that this is the standard we must meet.
We don’t jump up and down at the Lane Bryant catalog that features women most of us would love to be shaped like (Plus size? Really?).
We lambast actresses for being too thin, then make fun of them if they gain weight.
We, as women, need to demand realistic standards. And guys, you need to let us know that you love us as we are.
Slick did a post on the same topic.
I don’t really do anything on your list. Occasionally, I will shave my legs, but that’s for me. I do wear compression hose for medical purposes.
I think women do these things to continue to attract their husband. Well, some might do it to find another guy, but if that’s the case, they have other problems.
I do these things to make myself feel good about me. It’s also nice when my husband says, “Don’t you look beautiful today, Honey Bunny!” I love that. :d
Shortie–As usual, you are well spoken. I think it is about embracing what God has given us. I think that this does include taking care of it in a way that He would want us to. (Examples, eating healthy and exercising.)
Blue–Whew! I am glad I am not the only one.
MM–I get that all the time, too? “How come you’re so dressed up?” or “Where’re you going?” arrrrrghhh…
Hilly–That’s what the men in my life say, too. “You are just fine the way you are.” You are probably right, we do it to make ourselves feel better.
Speck–It’s the “standards” that get me I guess. It’s impossible to reach them. I guess the key might be to do what I can to take care of what I got and then be happy with that.
Uisce–I don’t think you are. My husband read this post and he said to me that I am just fine the way I am. I guess I need to learn to be happy with that and just take care of myself.
muttprincess–I wish we could all relax, but it’s easier said than done.
Finn–
Amen! I wish it were as simple as saying it.
Lynda–I think what you said:
is true. I love it when my husband looks at me “that way”.
Geeky Tai-Tai–I agree. I love it when my husband notices me looking extra special.
I hear you loud and clear, ma’am.