Growing up overweight in a culture that openly comments on people’s weight can be a challenging experience. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey of self-discovery, body image struggles, and ultimately finding a place of happiness and health. My story is a testament to the importance of self-love and the impact of cultural influences on body perception.

The Weight of Self-Consciousness: As a young girl, I felt the weight of self-consciousness bearing down on me. In Ethiopian culture, adults often make comments about others’ weight without realizing the impact it can have. I found myself standing out, and the lack of representation of girls who looked like me only heightened my insecurities.

Turning Point in High School: High school marked a turning point in my life. Joining the field hockey team, a running sport, inadvertently led to a significant weight loss. Initially pleased with the changes, I took matters into my own hands and adopted unhealthy eating habits, surviving mainly on water. The pressure to conform to societal expectations and fit a certain mold had taken a toll on my mental and physical well-being.

Realization and Course Correction: Soon, I began to recognize the danger of the path I was on. Hiding my struggles from my family added another layer of stress, and I realized that true happiness could not be found through deprivation. It was time for a course correction. I started eating regularly and adopted a healthier approach to nutrition. This journey taught me the importance of nourishing my body and mind in a sustainable way.

Ongoing Struggles and Self-Image: While I have come a long way, the journey to self-love is ongoing. Struggling with self-image is a battle many face, but I am now at a place where I am not afraid to go out with friends or enjoy time at the pool. Accepting myself, flaws and all, has become a priority, and I continue to work on building a positive relationship with my body.

Embracing Happiness and Health: Today, I am proud to say that I am happy and healthy. I have learned to celebrate my body for what it is, acknowledging that beauty comes in various shapes and sizes. The cultural influences that once contributed to my self-consciousness are now viewed through a lens of understanding, and I strive to promote body positivity within my community.

My journey from self-consciousness to self-love has been filled with challenges and triumphs. It is essential to recognize the impact of cultural norms on body image and actively work towards changing unhealthy perceptions. By sharing our stories and fostering a culture of acceptance, we can create a world where everyone feels confident and valued in their unique bodies.

In a world that often struggles with acceptance and understanding, I am fortunate to have grown up with a cousin who has autism. From an early age, I learned valuable lessons about empathy, patience, and the beauty of embracing differences. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey of understanding and appreciating autism, and how it has shaped my perspective on inclusivity.

Understanding Autism: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects individuals in various ways, leading to differences in social communication and behavior. My cousin, whom I have known and loved since childhood, falls on the spectrum. Growing up with him provided me with a unique opportunity to witness the diversity of human experience firsthand.

Breaking Stereotypes: As a child, I never saw my cousin as “other” or defined by his autism. Instead, I saw a person with a unique set of strengths and challenges. Unfortunately, society often perpetuates stereotypes about autistic individuals, creating a barrier to understanding. Through my experiences with my cousin, I quickly realized the importance of looking beyond preconceived notions and recognizing the individual behind the label.

Developing Empathy and Patience: Living with someone on the autism spectrum requires a deep well of empathy and patience. I learned to appreciate the small victories and milestones, celebrating his achievements while understanding the challenges he faced. These experiences cultivated a sense of compassion that extends beyond my family and shapes the way I interact with the world.

Zero Tolerance for Bullying: Witnessing the challenges my cousin faced, I developed zero tolerance for bullying, especially towards autistic children. The ignorance and cruelty of bullying can have lasting effects on individuals with autism, reinforcing the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone. I actively stand against any form of discrimination and strive to educate others on the importance of acceptance.

Advocating for Understanding: Education is key to fostering understanding, and I have made it my mission to advocate for awareness about autism. Whether through conversations with friends, social media posts, or participating in community events, I aim to dispel myths and promote a more inclusive society. It is crucial to recognize that everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, deserves respect, acceptance, and equal opportunities.

Growing up with my cousin who has autism has been a profound and enriching experience. It has shaped the way I view the world, fostering a deep appreciation for diversity and a commitment to fostering inclusivity. By sharing our stories and advocating for understanding, we can contribute to a more compassionate and accepting society, one where everyone is embraced for who they are.

As a young teenager, I embarked on the annual pilgrimage to my primary doctor for the customary check-ups. Each time, I would muster the courage to bring up my persistent issue – irregular menstrual cycles accompanied by excruciating cramps and debilitating nausea. However, my concerns were consistently brushed aside as mere byproducts of teenage stress. Little did I know that a visit to a gynecologist would change the trajectory of my health journey and unveil the silent struggle I had been facing – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

The Frustration of Dismissal:

Year after year, I found myself grappling with a seemingly invisible adversary that disrupted the natural rhythm of my body. The irregular menstrual cycles were not just a result of the stress associated with school, as my primary doctor insisted; they were indicative of an underlying hormonal disorder. Despite my persistent complaints, my concerns were dismissed, and I was left feeling frustrated and unheard.

The Turning Point:

One day, my mom, sensing the urgency of the situation, decided to take matters into her own hands. She scheduled an appointment with a gynecologist, hoping to find answers to the questions that had lingered for too long. As I poured out my experiences to the specialist, they listened attentively and decided to delve deeper into the issue. It was during this visit that I received a life-altering diagnosis – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

PCOS Unveiled:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. The syndrome can manifest in various ways, including irregular menstrual cycles, severe cramps, and nausea – all of which resonated with my experiences. Finally, I had a name for the silent struggle that had haunted my teenage years.

The Prescription for Relief:

With the diagnosis in hand, the gynecologist recommended a treatment plan tailored to alleviate my symptoms. The prescription was simple yet transformative – birth control. By regulating my menstrual cycles, the birth control not only provided relief from the severe cramps and nausea but also brought a sense of normalcy to my life. It was a solution that had eluded me during years of visits to my primary doctor.

The Frustration of Delayed Diagnosis:

Reflecting on my journey, the frustration of a delayed diagnosis looms large. It took just one visit to a specialist to unravel the mystery that had confounded my primary doctor for years. The dismissive attitude towards my symptoms as mere stress not only prolonged my suffering but also highlighted a gap in understanding and awareness surrounding women’s health issues, particularly those related to reproductive health.

Conclusion:

My journey with PCOS serves as a testament to the importance of advocating for one’s health, especially when faced with dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers. It underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of women’s health issues, ensuring that young individuals are not overlooked or their concerns trivialized. By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness about PCOS and inspire others to persist in seeking answers to their health concerns, even when faced with skepticism. After all, our bodies often speak louder than words, and it’s crucial to listen.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the relentless toll that labor can take on the human body. My mother, a dedicated hair stylist, stands for over 12 hours a day, making her body a silent battlefield where every muscle and joint fights a daily war. As a result, the sight of her returning home from work, her face etched with exhaustion, is a heartbreaking reminder of the sacrifices made by those who endure physically demanding jobs.

My mother’s profession is not just about snipping, styling, and beautifying; it’s a labor of love that requires incredible physical and emotional resilience. Day in and day out, she stands on her feet, lifting, reaching, and stretching to create the perfect look for her clients. The reality is that, despite her dedication to making others look and feel beautiful, her own body has borne the brunt of this grueling work. It’s a trade-off many laborers face, whether they’re construction workers, nurses, or hairstylists.

As a child, I often watched my mother return from work with her body in a constant state of agony. Her feet swollen, her shoulders slouched, and her face etched with pain. Witnessing her struggle was difficult, and it instilled in me a deep understanding of the physical and emotional toll that labor can take. My mother’s resilience is nothing short of inspiring, but it is disheartening to see how her sacrifices have impacted her overall well-being.

This upbringing, observing the demanding nature of my mother’s job, has had a significant influence on the choices I’ve made in life, especially regarding my career path. I knew from a young age that I didn’t want to embark on a career that would subject me to the same grueling physical demands. Instead, I chose to pursue a major in Information Systems. This decision was not just about escaping the physical rigors of labor but also about harnessing the power of technology and data to make work and life more efficient and manageable.

In Information Systems, I’ve found a way to contribute to the world by streamlining processes and solving problems without subjecting my body to relentless physical strain. I’ve chosen a field that allows me to make a meaningful impact while safeguarding my own health and well-being.

While I am grateful for the lessons my mother’s labor has taught me about hard work and perseverance, I am also mindful of the importance of preserving one’s body and mental health. Watching her journey has reinforced the need to appreciate and support those who engage in physically demanding jobs.

My mother is one of the countless unsung heroes who endure the physical and emotional challenges of labor, and her story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of people worldwide. It’s essential that we recognize and appreciate the resilience and dedication of laborers, and work towards creating environments that prioritize their well-being.

As I continue my journey in Information Systems, I carry with me the profound respect and admiration for those who labor tirelessly, like my mother. Their sacrifices are the foundation upon which our society is built, and it is only fitting that we acknowledge and honor their unwavering dedication to making the world a better place, one day at a time.

Upon reading Iris Marion Young’s essay, I couldn’t help but scrutinize my own life experiences through a phenomenological lens. It became evident that societal expectations had subtly shaped the way I conducted myself physically, and I began to notice instances where my actions were influenced by gendered stereotypes.

One striking realization was how I had always been somewhat hesitant to engage in certain physical activities considered traditionally masculine. For instance, I never felt entirely comfortable with sports like basketball or baseball, activities I perceived as requiring more “aggressive” or “forceful” movements. I wondered whether this hesitation was rooted in ingrained societal ideas about femininity and masculinity.

Additionally, I reflected on how, at times, I had consciously modified my body language to appear more feminine, whether in the way I walked or sat. This wasn’t necessarily a conscious choice; rather, it seemed almost instinctual, a reflex born from years of exposure to societal norms and gendered expectations. Reading Young’s essay was a catalyst for me to question these behaviors and their underlying causes.

As I continued to contemplate the impact of gendered expectations on my bodily comportment, I realized that this was not just about my physical actions but extended to my overall sense of self. I had unconsciously internalized certain stereotypes about what it meant to be a woman, and these stereotypes had, to some extent, influenced how I expressed myself in various aspects of life.

However, what struck me most was the idea of authenticity. Young’s essay illuminated the importance of being true to oneself and not conforming to societal expectations that stifled one’s genuine experiences. I began to see that embracing my authentic self, both in terms of physicality and identity, was a crucial step towards personal growth and fulfillment.

“My Personal Reflections” were not limited to introspection alone; they also prompted a call to action. I realized that understanding the subtle ways in which gendered expectations influence our lives is just the first step. The next step is to actively challenge these norms, both personally and as part of a broader societal effort.

I decided to explore activities and sports that I had previously shied away from, not because they were inherently masculine or feminine but because they interested me. I also engaged in discussions about gender and identity with friends and family, aiming to raise awareness and foster more open conversations on these topics.

Through self-reflection and a commitment to authenticity, I found the courage to challenge these ingrained stereotypes. The journey toward authenticity is ongoing, but I am now more conscious of the choices I make and the influence of societal norms on my experiences. It’s a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, one that phenomenology continues to inspire in individuals willing to question, explore, and live authentically.