Like many of us landlocked people, I love the ocean. One of my favorite inhabitants is the seahorse. There’s over 50 species with a variety of pretty colors and sizes ranging from a half inch to almost 2 feet. The best part is the way they reproduce. The female seahorse implants her eggs into a pouch above the male’s tail, where he fertilizes them and carries them until they hatch. I can only dream about a world where humans live this way. For 9 months, my husband would carry the fetus while I go about life normally. No worries about the way my body will change physically or all the hormones altering me emotionally. (Everyday I learn something horrific about pregnancy & childbirth on TikTok)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. She’s tiny.
…And that can apply to just about any woman in Hollywood. Whichever one you’re thinking about, that’s who I’m talking about. Being inundated with images of women this thin makes me uncomfortable. I hate imagining young girls seeing these women and aspiring to take up that little space, wishing to be smaller, weigh less. At the same time, I can’t help look along with envy. My whole life I’ve wished to have a more assertive presence to match my spirit, to have a more commanding voice, to be taken more seriously. Simultaneously, as women we are taught to take up the fewest physical square inches possible. Now, for affluent women, that achievement is accessible. What are we supposed to make of that? idk lmk
On a happier note, I’ve been reminiscing on my favorite small moments in life. A top 5 feeling for me is being wrapped up in my towel after a shower, standing in front of the mirror, eyes closed, hot air rushing through my hair, my mom standing behind me. To this day, if I asked, I know she’d be happy to blow dry my hair. Those moments radiate the connection of girlhood and between a little girl and her mom. Girlhood carries through all stages of life in so many little moments: running late and asking your roommate to curl your hair as you finish your makeup, splitting your last piece of gum after dinner, staying on the phone when you walk home alone, the list goes on. Despite all of the obstacles of being a woman, I still feel so fortunate to experience it.
