"You're not feminine"

Yesterday one of my driving theory classmates said I'm not feminine because I don't wear high heels and I don't speak a certain way. I got angry at him and told him I disagree. He insisted that I don't dress feminine and my mannerisms aren't feminine. Apparently to him, femininity is correlated to being a bimbo.

The notion that there is only one specific expression of femininity bothers me. Being feminine doesn't stem from your fashion choices. It is deeply rooted within you as a person, it's part of your character and personality (and of course it is irrelevant to your gender). Whether and how you choose to express it isn't a necessary indicator of it.

Can we all please stop being brainwashed by the media's (and social media's) projection of femininity and masculinity? Can we all please stop restricting ourselves when it comes to our feminine and/or masculine expression? Can we stop letting toxic and harmful generalisations and stereotypes define us? Lastly, can we stop judging others by our standards, and respect that every individual is different and has the right to be respected for the way they would like to be perceived?

Social Media

A reminder that the majority of what you see on social media isn't true or a representation of reality.
Most people choose to show their best moments, the cool pictures, the travels, the expensive meals...
It's all calculated and more than often staged. 
Which is understandable, as society and the media have conditioned us to believe we need to seem 'perfect' and hide anything 'ugly' under the rag. If you do otherwise you're judged, severely and viciously.
So, to anyone who sees those posts, images, stories -that have all been polished and edited to fit the notion of a 'perfect life'- and feels miserable, depressed or less than:
You're enough. Your life and experiences are valid. You don't need to conform to a make-believe 'utopia' or restrict and reshape yourself to 'fit in'.
Be kind to yourself. Take your time.

Random Thoughts XXXIX

You scrolling through your facebook timeline is just another form of consumerism.