If you saw my guest post on Carla’s blog on Friday (squee!), you know that I have spent some time thinking about judgment. I started off thinking about how I judge others (and trying not to) but ended up realizing how much I judge myself. I really am my own harshest critic.
The first one I saw–One Beautiful Thought–is from Canada.
Don’t be scared off by the subtitltes–it’s worth it!
I thought this was powerful, but I didn’t take it too personally because I have gotten much better at catching myself when I am engaging in negative self-talk.
But this one–Choose Beautiful–really speaks to me.
I think I would chose “average”, but why?
I think I would choose “average” as a safe choice that shields me from being judged by others. (“She thinks she’s beautiful?!”)
I think I would choose “average” because “beautiful” is an adjective I am comfortable bestowing on others, but not myself. (Sort of the reverse of One Beautiful Thought.)
I think I would choose “average” because choosing “beautiful” seems conceited, but then I think that reaction probably has to do with the ingrained sexism and misogyny of our society.
But, I think if I were with friends I would lead us all through “beautiful”.
But why?
Would I feel more empowered?
Would I be free-loading off the beauty I see in my friends?
Would I better understand that we are beautiful?
[Tweet “Why are we our harshest critics? #ChooseBeautiful”]
Which door would you walk through?
I’ve been loving this video for the past few weeks it’s such a great message. WE are all our harshest critics aren’t we?
I wrote on this topic too last week. What strikes me is the mom pulling her daughter through the beautiful door, and of course I would too, but would I have walked through if she wasn’t with me. I need to stop criticizing myself to empower her to love herself!
I would walk through the average one as well. It sucks that there is such a negative connontation for people to individually call themselves beautiful. People think you are bragging or cocky. I loved that video.
I love this video – hadn’t seen this campaign. I know I would most likely walk through the average door as well, but like you I think if I were with a group of friends I’d push us all through the beautiful door – safety in numbers perhaps?
I would choose average too because that is the way I’ve always seen myself and I’m OK with that but, like you, I see beauty in everyone around me.
This really is a great campaign!
I’m definitely my harshest critic too, but I’m really working on trying to fix that!
I’d walk through average. Even though I don’t really feel average, but beautiful? Maybe if there was a strong or fit option…lol. I think we just don’t like to build ourselves up like that.
I would walk through average. I guess that is just the way I see myself. Not bad, just normal. Not amazing or beautiful though. We are our harshest critics.
Thank you for sharing this. I kept seeing the video and meaning to watch. I too would definitely pull my friends through the ‘beautiful’ door. And I like to think that I would go through the beautiful door myself if alone. But, I’d definitely hear those voices in my head questioning it. Or at least I would if I had seen the doors in person without having seen this video.