There are many things I constantly find myself apologizing for. Some of that may be due to the fact that I constantly feel a need to apologize, but a majority of it is due to how our society is set up. Women in our society and in our time have many things they feel the need to apologize to people for. Here is a list of things I find myself constantly telling men or my female peers “sorry” for (that I’m really not that sorry for).
1. Not having shaved legs
If I have any prickles on my legs, I feel the need to warn people before they get too close to me. I have no idea when body hair became so taboo for people. I feel the need to constantly keep my legs shaved, or wear full length pants. It seems ridiculous to me, as this is NOT the norm in other countries.
2. Being confident
For some odd reason, I constantly see girls humble themselves because they feel that they have to lessen their worth or else they are bragging. This is crazy. If you are confident in yourself, you should never belittle that in order for someone else to feel better.
3. Not wearing make-up and/or not getting ready for the day
If I pick not to wear make-up on a given day, or want to walk around in sweats and a T-shirt, I am not being lazy, I am comfortable. This is not something I should have to warn people about before I hang out with them, and it is not something I should have to apologize about to anyone. Being comfy is way more important, and I never want to apologize for that again.
4. Free-boobing it
If seeing a boob outline under my clothes makes you uncomfortable, the only thing I am sorry about is that you weren’t raised to see the value of a human body. I am not going to apologize for not wearing a bra.
5. Showing shoulders or legs because of “revealing” clothing
The amount of times that I was told in high school that I needed to throw on a jacket is more than I can even count. What’s even worse, is that school officials expect you to apologize for wearing a tank top in 90 degree weather. My shoulders, knee caps, and thighs should not be distracting to anyone’s education, and women should never have to apologizing for dressing to the weather.
6. Not always being perfectly lady like
I am not going to take disrespect just for being a girl. I don’t care if that means I come off sassy or rude in return. The worst comment is, “Well that isn’t very lady like now, is it?” No, it isn’t very lady like, and I really don’t care. I’m never going to apologize for sticking up for myself. Ever.
Overall, the only thing I want to be apologizing for is for women who don’t realize there are things we don’t need to apologize for. Things that are natural, not within our control, or things that are due to other’s misunderstandings are all things that we don’t need to apologize for. I hope that the next time a guy comments on your leg hair, or on your lack of makeup, that you can look at him and tell him you are not sorry for your natural, womanly, and beautiful self.
