90 Day No Negativity Challenge – Day 24

Negative Labels We Live Down To

I am starting to recognize the different levels and different forms of negativity.  The obvious ones are complaining and being mean spirited in our thoughts and conversations. Sarcasm, which means tearing of the flesh, is one I thought I let go of years ago. It’s made a recent reappearance again much to my chagrin.  The one I’m noticing the most today though is the negative labels and negative interpretation from other people about me and women my age that we accept as fact, allow others to accept as fact and then live down to.

I’m an older woman, who knew.  It seriously came as a surprise to me when I realized it.  My exact reaction was, “What the hell! When did this happen?” I’ll spare you the details, but it’s a funny story involving a funeral and a freaking out crone.

I don’t look old, I don’t feel old, I don’t act old so it’s always surprises me when I find myself having to crawl out from under a label, stereotype or expectation based on my age.  What happened to the respect that used to be given elders?  Men are still receiving it, women are not, or if they are I’m not seeing it.

I know I’m on a 90 Day No Negativity Challenge but it pisses me off to be dismissed so cavalierly.  It especially rankles when I am dismissed by a younger woman who can’t half do what I can but is too dumb to know it.  Negative, I know, I know.  It’s a 90 Day Challenge, challenge being the operative word.

Now, I am many things and rebellious and defiant are two of them.  They usually manifest as rabble rousing with a screw you attitude thrown in. That attitude may not be negative but has led to some reckless acts which I am trying to avoid now days.   I’ve decided to rebel against the negative stereotypes and labels that other people create to serve their own fears and feelings of inadequacies.  I refuse to succumb to their fears or mine. I’m rebelling!

I’m going to be the best me I can be.  No more settling for good enough, no more getting by, no more riding the coattails of the past, past successes, past dreams deferred.  That means living in the now, it means taking care of my body, standing up straight and being confident. It means not acting old, not complaining about my aches and pains, not talking about how things used to be. It means carrying my own boat because I can and helping other people carry theirs because I can.  It means believing in myself and doing whatever I’m doing well and doing it with pride and self respect.   It means showing the world who I am, not letting them believe I am who they want me to be.

Today I am putting on a red dress and a kick ass attitude and that is not negative.