Fashion Sense: I consider myself a fashionista; I like to dress well to be addressed well. One adage states that: Dress in the way you want to be addressed. However, people often interpret my passion for fashion as being overdressed, going so far as to say I've spent my entire salary on clothes. I caught up with some and I explained how thrift clothes have been my surest plug, combination matters👌
A great thrift outfit for just two thousand naira can be more suitable than a turkey wears of fifty thousand naira, the body that wears it matters the most. I wear them in a way that elevates my appearance, making it seem like I'm dressed in much more expensive items. My combination of good taste and comfortable outfits as a smart-looking fashionista is often misunderstood. At one point, I almost lost my sense of style because I didn’t want to attract negative commentary. I started reducing my dress sense, but later I summoned the courage to please myself and be satisfied instead of others. But now, I’ve grown accustomed to their stereotyping and carry myself with full confidence in my fashion choices.
Being Perceived as Arrogant: Some people think I'm too arrogant simply because I'm reserved. I'm not the type who mingles easily, and my natural inclination is to study people before I feel comfortable being myself. While I have tried to explain my behavior by making an effort to connect with everyone, my reserved nature is not an inherent characteristic of arrogance.
My Flirty Look: Others have remarked that I have a flirty look, offering unsolicited advice not to cheat on my husband because my appearance is inviting. How do I explain that being flirty is not something written on anyone's forehead? My husband has never doubted my loyalty, yet people on the outside believe my look is tempting. While I have addressed this directly with some people who tell it to my face, I wonder what I should do to those who can't face me but speak behind my back🤷 Some men because of my look will definitely make their advancement until I turned them down before they voice out their views about me🤔 Theyassumed I am into extra marital affairs🤔 See my life!
Many people have been deeply affected by similar stereotypes. Ultimately, we must remember that while we cannot prevent stereotyping, we can choose to embrace our true selves and navigate through it. What we don't realize is that stereotyping is a normal way of life, if we don't believe this, then we can't move past it.
If I can overcome mine then you can overcome yours too. Ignore and live by it for your sanity👌 I chose to ignore, live my life and get used to stereotyping as a normal way of living.
My response to the #hivelearners weekly prompt, edition one of week 174 on the topic: stereotypes
The images used are mine.