I find it quite curious, as I peruse the "fashion" magazines, only to find pictures of what I don't want. Waif-ish girls that look as if they haven't had a nutritious meal in weeks, with a far off "I am so depressed I could die" look on their faces. I wonder, what are the photographers saying to elicit this response "Alright darling, your childhood pet didn't love you" or "all of the blood is draining from your body-work it." Ug, I don't get it. How is this what we call fashion? As if the meth addict look is desirable. The feeling that it evokes in me is pity, not-"I have to rush out and buy what she is wearing."
How do you feel when you look at these models?
Are the designers creating what the American consciousness is reflecting or moving towards? Eating disorders, emotional anxiety, the look of destitution that has erased the purpose of their existence? It saddens me to see that emotion and potential is wiped off their faces. Designers are artists and clothing is their medium yet I flip through the pages and can't help but remark "Damn, that's nasty!" Art is in the eye of the beholder, but no matter how hard I squint, I just can't see it.
Do I look happy? I ordered happy!!!!!!!!
On the other hand you have the overly excited models that are selling you weight loss pills, diet soda something or fast food, look a "little" more like you but they seem 1 million times happier. Great marketing to get you to buy their product because it is going to make you SOOOOOO deliriously happy. They forever have you by the pocket book because you want what they have! "I love to workout, I have all the free time in the world, my children listen to every word I say and always pick up after themselves because I saved money at (insert any store name)."
Both types of modeling/advertising are trying to get you to buy something and at the same time they are telling you something horrible. You are not enough, you are not whole, you must be broken because you don't have what we have. We search for happiness and beauty outside of ourselves when it has to come from within. Sadly this race to find happiness outside of ourselves is what runs people into their medical doctor to get a dose of fake happy since they can't find the real happy. They pop pills to haze their mind from their emotions, which are totally natural (emotions are natural not the popping pills part). We are human, we have feelings - everyone of us.
It is one of my greatest joys when the people that seek us out in our office reduce, and then completely get off their anti-depressant and or anxiety drugs. People do not know that Chiropractic can help with depression and anxiety, but it does-everyday. The chemicals that regulate your body (including your emotions) are directed by the brain which sends messages over your nervous system to the glands that secrete these chemicals and hormones. The Chiropractic doctor ensures that there is nothing blocking those messages from getting the dosages right, naturally. No wonder why drug companies dislike Chiropractors, they are taking their good paying customers and helping them become healthier and happier without the drugs, from the inside out.
So next time you flip through a magazine or see a commercial on TV, remember - Vogue Can Suck It! I am enough and I ROCK because I get adjusted!
Thanks Renelle, I know it is a drop in the bucket of "anti-self-lack brainwashing" (is that a double negative oxymoron ?) that is out there but I need to start somewhere. Thanks for your support!
Hi Bethany. I'm totally with ya. There must be a lot of gullible people out there to buy into this stuff. Maybe the Vogue stuff works in LA and NY(?), and the junk food stuff works everywhere apparently. I don't get either one.
I am so glad you are spreading that message with being a photographer - people are beautiful without looking emaciated. What do you say to them to bring out the best in them when taking their pictures?
Reply
Debo
4/4/2013 02:12:28 am
Your blog hits right on the head the reason why there's a Women's Resource Center. When women look outside themselves for fulfillment, whether it's what they buy, a man, or their children, they will never truly be successful. And when their man leaves them, that's when they come to us. Fulfillment comes from taking care of yourself, owning your attitude, owning your life. Very cool. Thanks for the thoughts.
I am so glad that you do the work you do with all of the different educational workshops and classes to create that empowerment and not dependence. It is definitely our choice to believe the media that we are not enough, but it is so subtle most of the time as it leaches into the brains of the young and they grow up believing that. Ugg. Keep up the Great Work Deb - Love you!
Nice article! I often think the same thing especially when it comes to child models. I hate seeing children all done up with no smiles. We are so programed to accept the skinny meth look, that when we see an actual real not photo-shopped body, we often judge for no reason other than it doesn't appear as we thought.
Thanks!
I totally agree with you- when it comes to children, how can a parent think that is emotionally healthy for them?
Reply
Leave a Reply.
Author
Bethany Niccum is passionate about educating and inspiring others to live a more authentic experience. She saves lives through Thrive with her husband Trapper, who is the primary chiropractic doctor at the practice. Bethany has 2 boys, 2 cats and lives in paradise-Durango, CO. She also runs the Women's Idea Exchange, which is a brainstorming group to give functional feedback to small female owned businesses.