Recently, I had to admit to my husband that I do, in fact, care what other people think. I care when I show up to a party empty handed or when the gift isn't wrapped. I care when I am not dressed appropriately for a business function or a wedding. I care when my house is messy and someone drops by unexpectedly. Maybe it isn't right, maybe I shouldn't, but I guarantee that most women reading this will completely understand this - even if they won't admit it. It causes undue anxiety and stress which we all know is just simply not healthy.
However, I believe that things happen for a reason. Sometimes there are lessons that we learn that are incredibly difficult to swallow and come at terrible times, but other times your ten year old daughter slaps you with a big old lesson just when you needed it. So, even though it causes argument after argument, I am so happy that my daughter simply doesn't care what you or I think of her.
I have always said that my daughter is a one of a kind, true original kid. She is the red haired, blue eyed, freckle faced girl who needs to wear a flower girl dress with her favorite boots and snow cap in July. She refuses to wear jeans, long sleeved shirts, short short sleeved shirts, socks and a dozen other types of clothing. This makes finding a Halloween costume is an experience of its own. Add in the added pressure that she is in a Halloween costume contest each year and we have an October filled with "No, Maya you can't be a Ninja Archer Cat, no one will know what that is" and "Seriously, it's October in Nebraska - you have to wear something warmer".
This year, she has decided that she wants to be Artemis - the Greek Goddess of the Hunt. After reviewing picture after picure of Artemis in a white gown holding a bow and arrow and a shield, Maya declared that yes, this is what she was going to be for Halloween but, she was going to wear her gray jogging pants and black t-shirt. After very calmly explaining to her that they didn't have gray Nike jogging pants in ancient Greece and that no one would understand who she was if she didn't wear the robe, she very calmly explained to me that she didn't care. "I don't want to wear the robe, I don't look good in white."
While I don't agree with her reasoning, I have to admit that I need to take a page from her no-anxiety, I don't care what you think about me, I love myself and will look like what I want playbook. She has confidence enough to be oblivious to society rules and be who she is. I guarantee that she will never care about showing up to prom in the same dress as another girl. I think we can all take a lesson from her.
