The Comfort Of Being "Normal"
One of the many reasons that I love the Internet is because it's a constant reminder that "normal" is a meaningless word. Yet still, we humans seem to have a deep desire for constant reassurance that we aren't freaks.
It's always a comfort to know that you're not the only one that feels a certain way. Especially if you'd rather not feel that way but you just can't help it.
Newsflash (no really, this was a news headline recently): Nearly all women worry about getting fat. And I would guess that most women feel a little bit guilty about that. We work hard to love ourselves as we are, to have a healthy body image, but still those worries about our appearance creep into the back of our minds. When they do, it feels like a bit of a failure.
Sometimes the guilt we feel about our worries weighs more than the worry itself. Kind of like making yourself sick because you're so afraid to go to the doctor to check out something that turns out to be nothing...
Sure - there's blame to be tossed around - for example all this worry may be the result of the pressure society puts on women to be attractive and fit. Regardless of the reason for our worries (and that's not a good reason) just knowing that almost every single woman shares these thoughts is a comfort, isn't it? I feel less freakish already.
-Brigitte
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Comments
Dan Monday, April 19, 2010
Brigitte, usually I can write some fairly intelligent and philosophical comments when need be. However, today I'm feeling sort of dumbed down. So allow me to ask something from the heart (not that it's going to be a dumb question)okay? Here goes. "How's Maddy doing?" I rather like it when you talk about her, so why not do a small story on that sweet dog? And when you get home...give her a cupcake.
Joe436 Monday, April 19, 2010
What do all men worry about? I know what I worry about, but is it the same thing other guys worry about?
Eric Jaffa Tuesday, April 20, 2010
RE "Nearly all women worry about getting fat."
Ten women who are normal weight were asked to imagine being told they're fat. They all had negative reactions to that scenario, based on their brain-scan images.
That doesn't mean that on a typical day they worry about getting fat.
If people were asked to imagine being in a plane crash, a scan of their brains might suggest a negative reaction.
That wouldn't mean that those people worry on a typical day that they're going to be in a plane crash.
Link to article:
http://www.livescience.com/health/women-body-image-brain-100415.html
David P Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Maybe the women are worried that they will gain weight because it has a negative impact on their health...
IN that case, this is an advantage because society is constantly pushing them to be fit and healthy whereas men don't have as much motivation
i know that not the message you are trying to pass but i thought i would say it anyway
romeo Tuesday, April 20, 2010
everyone is unique and perfectly excellent as they are however they may be "in an ideal world' -normality is generally a phobia - it's natural and organic vs. homogenous standards.
a contrast which makes duplicity imperceivable.
we live in a society where genuine good common sense is at a premium with respect.
where sincerity is about as deep as lip service.
where words seem to no longer carry the weight of truth or meaning.
and attraction or dissonance is rudimentary chemistry or a biological imperative
there is a common folklore among some indigenous cultures that perhaps our body image is only semblance of our shallow conditioned attitudes.
manzanita tea is lovely remedy for such a condition.
Blargal Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hello,Brigitte.
Have you wondered if the expansion of the Internet, has brought this feeling out into the public more? As society becomes more in contact and interconnected, well meaning opinions on weight, appearance, and style,seem to become the new phobia.
If someone is confident in their own life's path, they can look on all the hogwash as not being a thing which can harm or change them.
Brigitte Thursday, April 22, 2010
@Dan - Maddy is doing great, thanks for asking. A little trouble with her front leg due to possible arthritis, but the vet is working on figuring that out... thanks for the suggestion - tomorrow's (4/23) post will be about her!