Society Pressures Women to Be Complicated…..

I feel best when dressed in a flowing summer dress and barefoot, no makeup, and my hair just freely flowing: wavy and tangled. Who cares?

Well society does. Thats who cares. You see, contrary to popular beliefs, not every woman is complicated, or loves shoes and clothes. Not every woman cares to cake their face with tons of makeup and wear their hair styled with so much hairspray a spider could weave a web underneath it all.

I am now doing what some see as simply part of life: moving. Call me pessimistic, but for me? Moving is equivalent to Chinese Water Torture. My friends compare moving and sorting through boxes of items stowed in the attic to the joys of Christmas. For some, finding items that prior to this time have been forgotten in every day life. For me? It brings about the question of, “How have I accumulated this much STUFF?” 

You see, I am in no way a hoarder. However, as I am digging through box after box I realize that I truly NEED all of this stuff. Yes, I do have one memory box and family heritage items that I could never get rid of for sentimental reasons. These items are not the problem. It is the amount of clothes, female toiletries and beauty supplies, makeup, hairdryers, shoes for every occasion, etc. 

I came to realize that I need these items because of the societal pressures placed on women in the business realm to keep a professional image.

You see, I NEED makeup, hairspray, and all of my business outfits for jobs in the professional realm. It would be unacceptable for me to show up with just my business suit with my hair undone, free-flowing frizzy waves (thats my natural hair!) and no makeup on. I also need the perfect minimal jewelry to make sure I portray the image of professionalism without being over-the-top. A very balanced look: not too accessorized or too much makeup, yet enough to look classy.

Then, I have to have my summer clothes. Shorts, capris, sandals, skirts: both casual and dressy. And of course just the right sandals to match.

Lets not even start on the winter clothes…..

Men? They can get away with a few business suits and black shoes. For casual? Khaki or jean pants and shorts, a polo or t-shirt. Brown or black shoes/ sandals. No makeup, jewelry, hair accessories required.

You see? Not all woman WANT all of this stuff. Society demands that we are dressed according to each situation in all seasons to “fit in”. And yes one can rebel, but the consequences could be detrimental for me in the professional realm. 

That is all.