If you surround yourself with me at all, you undoubtedly learn that I have the dearest love for Disney Princesses. I’m obsessed. I love almost all the facets of Disney Princesses. Their elegance, their cuteness, and of course, the fact that they are princesses! Although, there is one solitary feature of Disney Princess’s that troubles me, which is their story lines. Growing up, I was mesmerized by "Cinderella." I would curiously plop myself in front of the television, and my eyes would sparkle, as I watched the animated film about: Cinderella, her little mice, her Fairy Godmother, and most importantly, her Prince Charming. I could not wait for the day I slipped on my glass slipper and danced at the royal ball with my Prince Charming. I could not wait for my Prince Charming to come around, swoop me off my feet, and save me from any harm in my way.
From the countless hours admiring Disney Princess movies, to playing dress up in my pretend castle built with blankets and various pieces of furniture, or singing the "Cinderella" sound track as I pranced around in my plastic high heels: princesses played a significant role in my childhood, as well as many others. The idea of a fairytale made my heart pump, my stomach flutter, and made me so excited to find that happily ever after love. Arial, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and Cinderella all quickly became someone I strived to be. I had the hair, the dress, the voice, the tiara, and even the glass slipper (from Party City, of course), but I was missing one thing. My Prince.
Embarking on my metamorphosis from a young girl into a young woman, this want and need for a Prince has always been unsettling to me. It is a trend throughout Disney Princess movies, that us girls need saving. Cinderella was saved from her ugly step sisters by Prince Charming. Ariel was saved from Ursula by Prince Eric, The Beast saves the castle and Belle’s happiness, The Prince saves Snow White by breaking her curse, and Price Phillip wakes up Sleeping Beauty from her sleep with his true love kiss. Consequently, all their fairy tales end in happily ever after. Sadly, as a little girl, I came to the realization that these types of fairy tales do not exist. But, I began to learn that my idea of a fairytale, does.
Creating your own fairytale starts with the realization that you alone are powerful. You do not need saving, and you do not need to be swept off your feet to embark on your happily ever after. You can become strong and can build yourself up without a man. You can attend your Royal Ball, and simply dance with your friends. You can fight your own battles, and show your evil step sisters whose boss. You can build yourself your own library in your castle. You can find your own glass slipper. You can become the woman you aspire to be without your Prince Charming. You, alone, have worth.
You have to remember, that happily ever after, starts with your happiness first. Create yourself into who you want to be and become happy in your own skin. Once you have learned to unconditionally love yourself and know your worth, you will learn how to love others more than you could ever imagine. So, do not revolve your life around the expectations of your Prince Charming. Don’t create a tiara to match his crown, simply create your own.
