Fighting With Myself and Society | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Fighting With Myself and Society

Labels, labels, and more labels.

41
Fighting With Myself and Society
HR in Asia

Have you ever been labeled?

Has there ever been a stereotype that you have been called for years?

Did you ever think that these labels would disappear when you reached that magical age of adulthood that everyone talked about?

Were you surprised when that was not true?

This is a difficult subject to talk about. For someone who has been labeled for as long as I can remember, I have had a difficult time trying to feel comfortable in my own skin. To feel comfortable in my own body, I have to be content with who I am. How can I do that with all of these labels and stereotypes?

To shed more light on the situation, I have had many different names thrown at me. As a kid, I was a teacher's pet and a know-it-all. I was the smart kid at school. I taught myself how to read, count, and do math problems. Other kids made fun of me for it while teachers praised my knowledge. Over the years, I accepted those labels as I was accepted into a private university for my knowledge and determination that I have had in school.

Those were not the only labels.

When I got older, other kids would verbally attack my looks. People would make comments like, "Wow, who knew a blonde could be smart," or ,"If looks could kill, you would be in jail." What hurt the most was when other kids would say, "Only parents could love an ugly girl." In middle school, I dyed my hair a darker color to stop the blonde jokes, but how could I change my looks?

Why was I not pretty enough for my peers?

Why was I a subject of humiliation?

Why was I a target of taunts?

How could I change my looks?

How do I stop the flow of tears?

How do I turn off the emotions that make me feel?

Why was I ugly?

All of these questions were questions that I constantly asked myself. Yet, I never had an answer to any of my questions. It just was not fair! I could not change how pale my skin looked or how my hair looked a little frizzy after it was brushed. I was young and could not change how I looked. That was an impossible thing to do, sadly.

The name calling did not stop there, though.

Other kids would call me names such as "chubby" and "fat". It was one thing that hurt my feelings more than any other name the others could come up with. I tried exercising. I tried eating healthier food. I tried eating less. I tried skipping meals. There was even a time that I tried slimming medicine and drinks. None of that worked though. I still fight with the fact that I am obese for my age. It is difficult for me to feel beautiful or even slightly pretty. I hated that idea. These were only a few examples of the stereotypes that I faced growing up. Yet, as I have grown up, I have learned some things about stereotypes and labels.

Now, I am still facing problems with stereotypes. I accept my knowledge as a gift that helps me get through college. At Bellarmine University, it is a challenge to get through the difficult courses each semester. To combat against the hurtful comments on my looks, I have began to accept how I look. My natural hair color has come back, and I love how I look with the blonde hair. I rarely wear make-up because I support the idea of a natural look being more beautiful than being covered in makeup. Sometimes, I use a defrizzer if my hair is too frizzy after I brush it. More importantly, with the help of some important people in my life, I am beginning to love myself for who I am and realizing that others like me for who I am as well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

69425
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3491
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7601
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments