Yesterday, scrolling through my news feed on Facebook, I saw an article that caught my eye. It was another one of those "15 Things Men Think About Women"-type articles. I naturally clicked on it because I seriously think that the male brain may be one of the strangest things on the planet. I was disappointed to find, however, that it wasn't really an article about what men think about women. It was merely another article detailing all of men's preferences relating to the female body.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the desire to impress your man without blatantly asking "what are the little things that I do that make your day better?" However, I don't see the point in articles that tell women that there are "10 Steps To Get Your Crush To Fall For You" or "How To Know If He Likes You Back."
I dislike the idea that a woman should adjust her behavior or self to pander to the preferences of her boyfriend or significant other. I'm not talking about the (few) articles that encourage women to be themselves, let their hair down, etc. I'm frustrated with the articles that promote the idea that women are sex objects purely for the enjoyment of men. Thank you very much, Google, but I am more than my body.
Also, why are these articles so popular online? I'm assuming it's because women want to know what men think without actually asking them... Yes, it can be super intimidating to ask your boyfriend to explain why he's been acting weird lately. Yes, it can be awkward to ask him if he sees you as anything other than a sexual companion. But here's the deal: you will not find answers on the internet. No journalist knows the particulars of your situation. You will, however, find plenty of articles that tell you that being more sexy will fix 99% of all your problems.
As a female, you are so much more than your body. I know we hear that a lot, but sometimes we still have a hard time acting like we believe it. Don't let anyone tell you to change to impress someone. If you have questions that you're curious about, talk about them face to face, and don't let yourself be put in a box. Here are 10 important questions that you should ask your boyfriend:
1. What do you value about me?
2. What do you value in our relationship?
3. What is the first word that you think of when you think of me?
4. What can I do to be a better person?
5. What can I do to help you be a better person?
6. How have I impacted your life?
7. Are there things that I do that make you happy?
8. Are there things that I do that you wish I wouldn't?
9. If you could go back in time, would you start a relationship with me again?
10. Where do you see this relationship going in the future?
You are a woman, and you are awesome because you are you. Be courageous, and, if you're confused about something, ask your man face to face. It's not confrontation; it's honesty. You don't need "10 Things Men Think Are Sexy" to make your relationship work. And, if you do, then it's probably not a healthy relationship.