Thursday, January 7, 2010

under pressure

As a healthy-living blogger, I am supposed to have a healthful relationship with food. I should be an example of a balanced eater and consistent exerciser, and it is assumed that I will be compatible and best of friends with every other blogger in the community.
As an intern, I should always have a smile on. It’s expected that I will be excited about each and every task put before me and that I will do my absolute best to fulfill them. And, of course, I must be ridiculously flexible and willing to please at any moment.
As a woman I feel pressured to be and do everything: fun, mature, good-natured, stylish, talented, attractive, sincere, easy-going, patient, intelligent, understanding, capable, friendly, ever-so-slightly opinionated, affectionate, strong, creative, sexy, confident but not too much, optimistic, honest, intriguing, thoughtful, playful, and thin.
As a 4th-year student, I should, for lack of a better phrase, have “all of my shit together.” I assumingly have a career plan and am ready to embark on it. I am expected to continue doing well in school while also “partying it up while I still can.” I am supposed to constantly be school-spirited, involved, and love everything that is college until graduation, then I'll just miss it.
As a “minority”-American, I feel as though it’s my responsibility to set a good example for the stereotype, to appreciate differences in every person I meet, and to expose myself, and others, to all of the beautiful diversity that the world has to offer.
But as a friend, and a well-established one at that, there’s pressure no more. I am allowed to be me. I am appreciated for the perfectionist yet imperfect person that I am, and all flaws are forgiven in exchange for my strengths. Being with friends is always the perfect antidote for a stressful life, as is a fantastic time with wine at Terroir. Hasta manana, my loves!

12 comments:

  1. Such a great, well-written post. I just discovered your blog, and I'll definitely be back!

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  2. Wow, that was an amazing post. I totally still feel like that...I hope it gets better, or at least more tolerable as we grow older/more mature (not that we're not, but as we learn!)

    <3

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  3. Julie: Aw, thank you! I hope so :)

    Trying To Heal: Yep, there's always room for learnin', glad someone else "gets it" too, it makes it easier to deal with :)

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  4. You have a way of writing complex things in such a lovely, succinct way! There is so much pressure with the many hats we wear as young women today. It IS nice to know that with our friends, we can be ourselves.
    You are wonderful, Danielle!

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  5. I can relate to so much in this post, Danielle. In recent months, I have certainly felt many of the pressures you describe. I guess I need to get in some friend-time ASAP :)

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  6. I can be VERY harsh on myself, thanks for the reminder that being an imperfect perfectionist is perfectly alright!

    americangourmande.wordpress.com

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  7. Beautifully put! There's pressure all around us in so many different parts of our lives, but it's up to us to be comfortable in our own skin and not fall under the expectations of the world around us!

    And a "perfectionist with imperfections" I could not have said it better myself :)

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  8. love your blog and love that your are a sister in the bond :) - best of luck in your senior year - you will certainly continue to do great things!

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  9. Amen--isn't it a shame we have to feel these pressures? And yet most of us probably take it for granted that it's our lot in life. Kudos to you for seeing it like it is!

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  10. Thinspired: Wow, thanks sweetheart... so are you :)

    ChickPea: Well you certainly deserve it my love, I hope some friendly TLC comes your way real soon!

    mayapamela525: Can't we all! Your very very welcome.

    jenngirl: Thank you, that's so true! Glad you like my label ;)

    jennysue: Oh my gosh, thanks so much! LITB

    Diana: Thanks darling.

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  11. What is in that sandwich? It looks tasty!

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  12. Pat: Smoked Mozzarella, Radicchio, and Roasted Red Peppers... it was amazing!

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