plus sized

the most annoying thing about being considered plus size is being called plus size. as if our size isn't normal, it's "plus." a size plus more sizes. 

then there's shopping. you can't just go into any store and buy things off the rack. you have to go to specialty stores that carry sizes bigger than 14. and so much of what they carry is super ugly. 

in some stores, they have a plus size section. like at walmart. do you know how embarrassing it is to have to go to the plus size section? why can't they just have clothes of all sizes in the same place? 

is there some REASON why the clothes need to be separate? 

AND they cost more. apparently they use more material and they have to adjust the pattern. which makes it cost more. 

even at walmart in the men's section where they have the clothes together, they will have a sign saying $7 for the shirts and then in smaller font, "+ $2 for 3x and up."

at old navy, men's clothing all costs the same no matter what size. but women's clothing costs more. according to the consumerist, plus size jeans cost at least $15 more than "regular" size jeans. 

http://consumerist.com/2014/11/12/old-navy-tries-to-explain-why-women-pay-extra-for-plus-size-clothes-but-men-dont/

https://www.change.org/p/gap-inc-stop-up-charging-for-women-s-plus-sized-clothing

and on top of that, the plus sized clothes are only available online. it sends a message that they want our money they just don't want us being in their stores. 

PP says she worries that there is so little variety in plus size clothing that she will end up wearing the same thing as other plus size wearers. 

now i know that as zed is reading this, she is disagreeing with me because she has an amazing wardrobe. so i will admit that there are some options out there. but what really bugs me is the fact that stores don't make clothes in all sizes. and that i have to shop at specialty stores or in the plus size sections. and that i have to pay more. 

i prefer to buy second hand. but have you ever looked at the choices in the plus sizes at thrift stores? take a look next time you are in one. they are so ugly. i rarely find anything wearable. 

why is it that regular clothing stores can't carry sizes bigger than 14? or 16? then we could all shop in any store. i would go to the mall and shop. they would make more money. 

instead, i avoid shopping as much as possible to avoid the embarrassment of going to the plus size stores or the plus size section. 

end of rant. 

be kind to yourself, 

xoxo

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Your life under a microscope

lately i have been obsessed with butterflies. this means that i notice them wherever i go. it also means that people point out butterflies to me when they see them. (See these previous posts re: butterflies: click here, click here, click here, click here)

http://distractify.com/geek/butterflies-are-natures-gems-but-wait-until-you-see-what-their-wings-look-like-under-a-microscope/

today, SC sent me these photos of butterfly wings seen under a microscope. they are really cool. so i decided to share them here with my readers. aren't they gorgeous? i love science! 

the photos made me think about how my life has been under a microscope lately. visiting with various doctors and specialists, my regular therapy appointments, debriefing all these appointments with my friends, and even writing this blog ... 

... each part of my life is being questioned, discussed, examined. 

i spend a great deal of time in my head, thinking about every little thing that has happened to me. looking at the tiny details. exploring what those details mean. while it is important, and enlightening ...

... it can feel very exposing to have your life under a microscope. each doctor wants to know the details. each doctor asks hard questions. questions that, through therapy, i have answers for, but don't know if i want to share these answers with a stranger. and other answers, i don't have yet and maybe never will. 

each day i am faced with another memory from my life. another mean thing that was said to me. another mean thing that was done to me. another way that i was hurt, and wounded. another scar that i thought had healed. each day i examine my life under a microscope. 

it's time to see the big picture ... to step back from examining every detail of your life. 

my life is actually pretty awesome. i have a great job that i love. i have a fabulous partner, SC,  who loves me as deeply as i love her. i have an incredible group of friends who are actually there for me, in ways that i have never experienced before. i have people who care about me, and worry about me, and want me to be well and successful and happy. i have nosy nora in my corner, having my back. i have all those people loving me. i have a house to live in, food to eat, and i am relatively healthy. 

depression and anxiety makes life feel challening. childhood events, memories, trauma ... they make life difficult as well. and those experiences are real, and hard. and at the same time, there are many things in my life right now that are wonderful.

find ways to "get out of your head" as AG likes to tell me. nosy nora says watch a funny show like "modern family." or, you could read a book, go for a walk, play games with friends, go for a coffee date, write, sing, play, talk, nap, and give yourself a break from the hard stuff. take time to enjoy the NOW stuff. 

be kind to yourself,

ps ... tee hee hee ... a funny for your day ...

xoxo

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