21st Century Chalice

Dress to impress.

In fact - No. Fuck that. Why should I dress to impress? Why should I put on clothes and make-up and do my hair, and spend hours in front of the mirror for other people? But... then I tell myself that this is for you; because if you impress them, then they love you, and if they love you, then you can love yourself.

Wait... what? So I need them to love me before I can love myself?

Bullshit. 

I can love myself without them. I should love myself without them. I should love myself imperfectly. I shouldn't buy stupid shit for their acceptance. Nor should I wear clothes and make-up for their affirmation. 

So let me take off all this attire which is just a gimmick. Let me peel off the mask that I have manufactured. Let me be who I am. Magazines want to dictate how I should act and feel, and ultimately how I should present myself. Make-up tutorials bombarding me with the perfect way to shape my eyebrows, and the top 10 tips for contouring my face. Oh, how fantastic, more reasons to feel inadequate. More nonsensical bull shit to dictate the narrative of never being good enough.

Instead I should write the top 10 tips on how to not give a shit. 

Never - never will I again chose to conform to this doctrine that is being injected into us all. The vaccine of the fickle and feeble. The anointing of the stupendous and superficial. I will show the world my true face, and if it is seen to be broken and bare, then so be it.  

I will stop drinking from this cosmetic 21st century chalice. It tastes like piss and leaves me feeling more empty than ever. 

I need not your care, or concern. Because I am good enough for me. Believe a little more in the self. Give a little more time to the you. Care a little less about the others. 

Photographer: Marc Hayden
Model: Barbara Rodiles