I usually have the TV on in the morning while I eat breakfast and check my emails.
The
Today show must have been having a slow news day and in an effort to bump up ratings, decided to post my
absolute favourite topic of newsworthy conversation (please note the dripping sarcasm) on their
facebook page.
Miranda Kerr wowed us with her post-baby figure, and today Rebecca Judd will do the same, just six weeks after giving birth. Do model mums put too much pressure on other new mums?
Then they had to promote the post with the obligatory photo of Miranda Kerr in a bikini, because the mere sight of her is supposed to incite pure hatred and jealousy in the minds and hearts of women all over Australia.
Because we are that stupid.
Let's put aside the fact that Karl Stefanovic is perhaps the world's stupidest man. Every time he opens his mouth I have to physically restrain myself from hurling something at the TV.
What irritates me beyond belief is the use of the word 'pressure' and the way the media (morning shows and magazines, especially) and heck, society try to stir up controversy, raise ratings, boost advertising and make money by trying to pit women against each other.
That life has to be one big competition.
That we are all seething with envy that someone is more successful than we are.
By implying that one woman is better than another because of her job, her wealth, her status, her education, the perkiness of her boobs and the size of her ass.
Don't have a model body after baby? That's awful. Buy some spanx and diet pills. Feeling frumpy? How dare you? We'll show you how celebrities do it better. Feel like a crap mother? You obviously aren't up to the job. Read how she does it better.
Aren't we all past that sort of thing?
Addressing the supposed 'envy' that the media think new mothers feel of models and the Miranda bashers out there -
It is a model/ actresses job to maintain her body, her health and her face.
To be snarky and dismiss that professionalism by saying "Oh, I'd look that good too if I had a nanny, a chef, a personal trainer...." is stupid.
You don't bitch about a successful businesswoman for dropping her baby at kindy, using a personal assistant to help her be organised, do you? "Oh, if only my kids went to kindy, and I had a PA, and a few suits then I'd be just as successful."
If you decide to return to work after having a baby, you will need to organise child care. You will need to use the resources available to you to be professional at your job. Because people are paying you to do a good job.
That's all.
Enough with the 'model/ oh she has a nanny' bashing already.
Let's give successful women, whatever their chosen profession credit where it's due. It takes hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and a little bit of luck to be successful at anything.
And that's great.
But the point I want to make with this post is that you don't have to be like these women. You don't need to buy into the media hype, feel pressured and think you have to be envious of these women and aspire to do what they do.
If that's not what you want out of life that is perfectly ok too.
Congratulate them on their success and hard work and get on with your own life.
From an early age we're taught that we have to aspire to a certain level of success.
That you can't be happy unless you're constantly trying to improve yourself - your body, your hair, your teeth, your mind, your house, your job, your children.
EVERYTHING.
What's wrong with being happy with what you've got.
Right here, right now.
I remember when I had my first baby I was about 1 semester away from completing my Uni degree. As soon as that baby popped out, I had people (family, friends, strangers) asking when I was going back to Uni.
And back to the gym.
And back into my jeans.
I remember thinking WHOA! Are you serious? What's the rush?
Who am I supposed to be trying to impress with all these achievements?
Sure, I've been blessed with 'potential'.
But I'll admit, I'm a little bit lazy and pretty happy being mediocre.
And that isn't such a bad thing.
Sometimes I do wish I could pull my finger out and get motivated to achieve something momentous.
But that thought (kind of like a packet of tim tams) tends to disappear pretty quickly.
All that striving, aspiring, inspiring, motivating can be bloody exhausting.
With the exception of perhaps trying to be healthier and kinder (to yourself and others), you don't need to be any other 'er'.
That includes prettier, skinnier, happier, smarter, wealthier, funnier, trendier, edgier, sexier or (the token 'er') popular.
Don't listen to the twats on TV.
Liberate yourself.
Forget about what everyone else is doing.
No pressure.
