Girl Power

Thursday, July 06, 2017











          
Top: Forever 21 // Skirt: BarIII // Denim Jacket: Topshop
Boots: Zara // Backpack: Koltov (Vintage) // Belt: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Prada
Earrings: Baublebar // Bracelets: Macy's // Rings: Vintage // Pin: Topshop


          Pa-Pow!!!  I'm comin' atcha with a whole lot of GIRL POWER today in this outfit post!  The words, "girl power" packs a powerful punch, and like the word, "feminist," people seem to have different interpretations of what it is.  Personally, I define it as "a fierce feminine energy that exudes confidence, independence, and unpretentious self-love, with a dash of charm."  Simply put, it's a force to be reckoned with.  Not only is it important for women to embrace this boss attitude, I believe it's essential to instill this "girl power" in our youth. Often times, the little ones are easily influenced by other people's comments and what they see in the media, persuading them to develop a limited and almost unrealistic idea of beauty.  
       You may not know this, but not only am I a fashion blogger, I am an assistant teacher at a learning institute.  It is such a blessing to be able to teach the children who are so excited to learn and expand their minds.  Over the years, I have noticed that more girls than boys are influenced to change themselves at a young age in order to fit in or simply attempt to replicate an image they saw in the media.  While they are still discovering what makes them unique, I think it's important to constantly remind girls that individuality should be embraced.  
       A while ago, I taught a four-year-old girl who had the most gorgeous curly hair.  Let me tell you, her hair was so beautiful that she could've made even Shirley Temple jealous of her adorable ringlets!  Every time I saw her, she would tell me that she hated her hair and wished that it was straighter like mine.  And every time I would assure her that she was incredibly lucky to have those curly locks.  Little did she know, when I was her age, I always wanted curly hair like hers.  
         One day she skipped into class and asked me, "Aunty Kristen, my birthday is in a few days and do you wanna know what I want for my present?" (In Hawai'i, it is polite to call those who are older than you "Aunty" or "Uncle" out of respect even if you are not related.)  I guessed unicorn stuffed animals, dolls, and every other cool toy I heard other students in class talking about, but all of them were the wrong answer.  When I finally gave up on guessing, she revealed, "I want to go to a salon and get my hair straightened just like my mommy and all the other girls in my class.  I want to have hair just like them and like you."  My heart sank.  
          For some reason, those words hit me hard.  I was heartbroken that a girl that young already had a strong desire to change the way she looked.  I thought to myself, How can she not see how lovely her hair is?  I sat down on the tiny wooden chair next to her and asked, "Do you want to know a secret?"  Of course, her eyes lit up and she nodded her head.  I leaned in and whispered, "I always wanted my hair to be curly like yours."  She looked at me, shocked and confused.  "Yup,"  I repeated.  "Do you know that I curl my hair with a curling iron to make it look like yours?"  At that point, I could tell that she was thinking because she ran her fingers over her hair, which was tied tightly in a bun.  She didn't say a word. "So," I continued, "Why do you want to change your hair when it's already beautiful?  You should love your hair!  Say, 'I love my hair!'"  She reluctantly repeated it because I asked her to, but I made her say it a few more times, just until I saw that she finally realized it herself. 
      The next time I saw her, she came running into the learning center with a bright smile on her face and with her curls flowing about her shoulders, out and proud.  "Hi, Aunty Kristen," she shouted as she pulled out her folder, ready to learn.  I greeted her back and asked her why she didn't go through with straightening her hair.  She skipped to her desk and then replied, "Because, Aunty, I love my hair!" and my heart melted.  Maybe she will straighten her hair at some point in her life, and there is nothing wrong with that.  I just hope that when she decides to do it, she'll straighten her hair because she simply wants to try a different look, not because she hates the curls she was born with.  
        Yes, self-confidence and self-love are not qualities that develop overnight, but constantly reminding yourself to embrace who you are and spreading that positivity to those around you . . . now that's "girl power." 

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"Girls should be strong together. Strong like steel, merry like the tinkling of chimes dancing in the wind." -Kristin Halbrook 


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