Comments on: Reprint: Feminism, talking about the body, and self-acceptance http://hugoschwyzer.net/2008/08/02/reprint-feminism-talking-about-the-body-and-self-acceptance-2/ Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:46:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Karen http://hugoschwyzer.net/2008/08/02/reprint-feminism-talking-about-the-body-and-self-acceptance-2/#comment-435320 Karen Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:07:24 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2008/08/02/reprint-feminism-talking-about-the-body-and-self-acceptance-2/#comment-435320 I like this post for the same reason that matey mentions, connecting life experiences with feminism. Most people's body issues can be traced to someone (family, associations, culture) making comments or criticisms and negative labeling about one's physical appearance, even if it is made up and a lie. I often felt like I was under microscopic scrutinty by other people who for whatever reason felt compelled and very free to blirt and spew away UNSOLICITED criticisms and observations. I've also been around a lot of people (who I think are very insecure and jealous) who feel for whatever reasons, compelled to make endless comparisons. These comparisons ae always at my expense and the expense of others on the receiving end of their malicious spewing and blirting. Perhaps my experiences have been skewed towards exposure to an abundance of insecure self-haters who spread their unhappiness and misery to everyone in their life, or people who are just cruel, negative, self-absorbed and miserable. The result is that at one time I too had to battle body dysmorphia (energy that could have been expended in more positive pursuits). Trust and respect was also severly compromised. I tend to be more of a loner as being around other women tends to make me feel too much hopelessness and despair, given their negative behaviors. I tend to feel that many people stay the same--their negative character traits becoming even more entrenched the older they get. In other words, if they are prone to criticizing other people (maliciously)because the one-upitis makes them feel better about themselves (I win, you lose syndrome), then they carry that same characteristic with them the rest of their lives, because usually there is an enabler around to make excuses for their cruelty. I like this post for the same reason that matey mentions, connecting life experiences with feminism. Most people’s body issues can be traced to someone (family, associations, culture) making comments or criticisms and negative labeling about one’s physical appearance, even if it is made up and a lie. I often felt like I was under microscopic scrutinty by other people who for whatever reason felt compelled and very free to blirt and spew away UNSOLICITED criticisms and observations. I’ve also been around a lot of people (who I think are very insecure and jealous) who feel for whatever reasons, compelled to make endless comparisons. These comparisons ae always at my expense and the expense of others on the receiving end of their malicious spewing and blirting. Perhaps my experiences have been skewed towards exposure to an abundance of insecure self-haters who spread their unhappiness and misery to everyone in their life, or people who are just cruel, negative, self-absorbed and miserable. The result is that at one time I too had to battle body dysmorphia (energy that could have been expended in more positive pursuits). Trust and respect was also severly compromised. I tend to be more of a loner as being around other women tends to make me feel too much hopelessness and despair, given their negative behaviors. I tend to feel that many people stay the same–their negative character traits becoming even more entrenched the older they get. In other words, if they are prone to criticizing other people (maliciously)because the one-upitis makes them feel better about themselves (I win, you lose syndrome), then they carry that same characteristic with them the rest of their lives, because usually there is an enabler around to make excuses for their cruelty.

]]> By: matey http://hugoschwyzer.net/2008/08/02/reprint-feminism-talking-about-the-body-and-self-acceptance-2/#comment-434783 matey Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:41:11 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2008/08/02/reprint-feminism-talking-about-the-body-and-self-acceptance-2/#comment-434783 I like this post for the idea about connecting life experiences with feminism. I think I'm ok with my body though, I'd like to be fitter and within my ideal healthy weight range (currently about 20 lb overweight) but I am quite fit and have been blessed with a good shape. I'd like to be able to accept my body's aging process better, I do think about the sagging possibilities of the future and hope I will accept myself happily. My aunt is in her 60s and now thinks nothing of being almost naked on a beach although when she was super model slim in her youth she was too self conscious to relax so much on a beach. So maybe the kind of wisdom age can bring is the key. I like this post for the idea about connecting life experiences with feminism. I think I’m ok with my body though, I’d like to be fitter and within my ideal healthy weight range (currently about 20 lb overweight) but I am quite fit and have been blessed with a good shape. I’d like to be able to accept my body’s aging process better, I do think about the sagging possibilities of the future and hope I will accept myself happily.

My aunt is in her 60s and now thinks nothing of being almost naked on a beach although when she was super model slim in her youth she was too self conscious to relax so much on a beach. So maybe the kind of wisdom age can bring is the key.

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