SOURCE: ALONEWITHCHANGINGMINDS.TUMBLR.COM
Seeing as I’ve been at Kenyon for two weeks now, I’ve come to the opinion that just about everyone on Kenyon’s campus is kind. I’ve also concluded, to my rising dismay, that besides being kind, a typical Kenyon student is also extremely accomplished, freakishly talented, and unattainably beautiful. So much so, that this is how I feel any given day strolling down Middle Path:
Source: DIGG.TUMBLR.COM
Now I love spending my mornings getting dressed up because it’s a great way to “treat yo self.” However sometimes I want to walk into Pierce without makeup, acne visible (CURSE YOU, OH!), and in comfortable shoes because my feet hurt, and I can’t seem to do that. I can’t seem to walk into Pierce looking like a human being because it makes me sad. Yes, Kenyon, sad.
Source: RKEKAFL0.TUMBLR.COM
Why? Because every other student looks like they just stepped out of a magazine. Dresses and khakis seem to be the dress code, and when arbitrarily breaking these rules I feel like I’m simultaneously ruling out any romantic possibilities while conveniently getting half the population to look down on me.
And sidenote: Seriously Kenyon, why is half the male population shipped directly from Hollister?! How am I supposed to get toast at 8:30 in the morning when Adonis himself is waiting behind me? What if I forget how to butter my toast, Kenyon? Did you even consider that I feel less like a college student and more like an out-of-place extra for “Magic Mike III?
Source: ELITEDAILY.COM
So, with this internal struggle in mind, I decided that I would break down self-confidence as I’ve begun to relearn it:
1. If you’re going to dress-up/look cute/wear something pretty, do it for you. Not for the compliments, not for some cutie who doesn’t even know your name, not for attention. Look like a model or look sleep-deprived, but do it because you want to, and more importantly, because it makes you feel happy.
2. You do not look ugly without makeup. You may look beautiful with makeup, but that does not mean you look ugly without it. I enjoy punch, but that does not translate to “I am miserable when not drinking punch.”
Source: Giphy
3. Also, our society enjoys making a big deal out of the obvious: girls look different with and without makeup. As a result, people tend to broadcast on every social media platform that they now have “trust issues” because this pretty girl isn’t actually pretty without makeup (by their standards). Their outrage can make you feel guilty about… your face…? But it shouldn’t because your job is not to be beautiful. You are not a vase! You are a person!
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4. Sometimes I irrationally feel like looking casual makes me “not good enough” in the eyes of cute guys. But, then I wonder: since when has my worth, in relation to other people and myself, ever been solely based on my beauty? And, ponder this, ladies: if he won’t look your way because you’re wearing gym shorts, maybe he’s just not good enough for you. Just maybe.
There’s no way that we can all look perfect all of the time. And maybe we shouldn’t even strive for that. The more important goal should be feeling good, and then, maybe (and only maybe!) looking good. Kenyon Ladies: “Don’t be insecure, girl. Own that ponytail. Work that updo!” You got this.
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Butter your toast, wear your tennies, and above all, remember that you’re a glorious, beautiful human being.
Source: SALLY-PICKELBOTTOM.TUMBLR.COM