30 responses

  1. Michele
    June 13, 2014

    Talon this is a fantastic post body image is a huge issue and you show it impacts people at all stages of their lives. Age does make you realise that you need to accept yourself for who you are not who you could be but it is hard I too slip into the body shaming too often.

    Your second point about labelling is also an issue that frustrates me why do people have to be this or that why is it anyone’s business anyway…can’t we just be humans and love and care for each other.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      June 13, 2014

      Yes, can’t we all just be humans!

      Reply

  2. Catherine
    March 6, 2014

    So many great points here. Totally agree with the ‘labels are for boxes’ view, not just with regards to sexuality, but with everything. People seem to love categorising other people, when really we’re all unique individuals, with unique thoughts and feelings and ways of dealing with things.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      March 7, 2014

      Yep, so much easier to just put people in neat, clean boxes rather than getting to know them as individuals, etc.

      Reply

  3. Terry at Overnight New York
    February 25, 2014

    The notion of judging someone’s preferred ode of travel and disparagingly labeling it is just silly. Travel is personal and is the last thing that needs a label! Nice discussion, btw.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      March 5, 2014

      Couldn’t agree more!

      Reply

  4. Penny Sadler
    February 22, 2014

    No More Boxes! Ever!!! Ok seriously, in the business I work in, image is everything. I fight this kind of labeling and stereotyping every day. It’s hard!

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 24, 2014

      Very hard indeed!

      Reply

  5. Travelogged
    February 22, 2014

    Yes, I hate it when people look down on tourists or equate the word with “tourist” with “idiot.” I don’t believe there is much of a distinction between tourists and travelers, and tourists are extremely important to the economy.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 22, 2014

      I don’t either. There are just different styles of travel, and none of them are superior to any other. Sure, some may offer different experiences than others, but there is no “better” way of traveling.

      Reply

  6. Mary @Green Global Travel
    February 21, 2014

    Amen. Why does it take us until middle-age to accept and love ourselves? With a pre-teen girl in the house, I have to be very careful of the things I say- both to her and myself. We try to enforce that she is encouraged to love whomever she wants – male/female black/white/other. We just want her to find love in her own way- first within herself and then with others.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 22, 2014

      I’m STILL working on it! And you’re so right about being careful what you say. I’ve made comments in the past that I didn’t realize would have an effect on my son (who is rail thin) and began noticing from his speech that he was starting to have an unhealthy body image. It’s taken me a while to try to counter that.

      Reply

  7. Jennifer
    February 19, 2014

    Agree on all counts; I think I know only 3 or 4 women total who don’t have at least a little bit of a body image issue. That’s got to be cultural in some ways I imagine. The traveler/tourist thing is also a huge pain in the neck, we should all just get over it. I think the “travelers” who look down on people who take vacations have issues.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 20, 2014

      Definitely agree with you about the people who have issues with vacation travel. Travel is travel, and ALL travel helps open and exercise minds and perspective.

      I agree the body-image issues seem to be quite cultural. Every culture seems to have its own thing, too. For example, the prevalence of belief that having whiter skin is more attractive in SE Asia.

      Reply

  8. Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
    February 19, 2014

    As I get older, I see more and more how pointless all of this is, and am working towards getting it out of my life. And, as a teacher, I see it happening in my classroom and am up to my ears in it, especially with those entering their teen years.

    Reply

  9. Gran Canaria Local
    February 19, 2014

    We agree with you 100%. Love the traveler vs tourist section. These days, our travel’s mainly around the Canary Islands. But we still feel we’re broadening our minds when we discover a new place. And we’re still finding new spots on our home island of Gran Canaria.

    Reply

  10. Mary
    February 19, 2014

    Talon, this is a beautifully written and honest post. I agree 100% with all of it but could never find the right way to express it. So glad you know you moobs and all;)

    Reply

  11. Valen-This Way To Paradise
    February 18, 2014

    I love this…so many people put themselves into boxes, and don’t let themselves out. People need to live life that way life works for them. And, it’s too bad that people don’t let themselves explore their sexuality because they are afraid of a label that will come with it.

    Reply

  12. Meggie Kay
    February 18, 2014

    Talking about body image always hits home for me. I grew up being “the fat kid” and the years of bullying and teasing because of it really sticks with you. Even though I’m no longer big and would easily be considered small-medium size, it still trips me out that people now see me as pretty. I mean, I lost weight so I could climb a mountain and not getting winded after 1 flight of stairs, not to be considered attractive. It’s nice to hear that but it still feels weird. It’s a concept I have trouble wrapping my head around.
    As for everything else, I do what makes me happy. If it fits into some kind of label/category, cool I’ll use that when people ask about it. If it doesn’t, I’ll just take 5 minutes of your time to explain it. Hah

    Reply

  13. Patti
    February 18, 2014

    I can’t get past the word, “moob” I have never heard that one before. Beyond that though, another good rant and definitely on topic. Kind of sad though that body image and sexuality are still such points of distraction. Do you think as a society we’ll ever get beyond it?

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 18, 2014

      HAHA! Yep, man boob = moob.

      I have hope we will, but I’m afraid it’s rather thin.

      Reply

  14. Anis
    February 18, 2014

    Absolutely!! “Do what works for you”. I’m SO tired of the traveler/ tourist thing and I cannot believe that some people are still writing/talking/blogging about them being travelers and not the other.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 18, 2014

      I know. It really surprises me when I see the discussion rear up again.

      Reply

  15. Wandering Educators
    February 17, 2014

    LOVE this. So agree, especially about body image and what people think they should look like. It drives me crazy, especially as the mom to a tween who sees that stuff every single day.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 18, 2014

      So hard with teens!

      Reply

  16. Elle
    February 17, 2014

    Another great read Talon.
    Statement for the day: Lose Those Labels!
    Elle x

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 18, 2014

      Amen, sister!

      Reply

  17. Sam
    February 17, 2014

    Amen. Agreed on all account…except that in my personal life, I find labels regarding sexuality useful sometimes, if used by people who know what they are/like/want and own it. Indeed, it’s confusing to people who are still trying to figure that out. Of course, there’s also the myth that you have to have a well-paid, stable job to be successful and a valuable member of society: also bullshit, in my opinion.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      February 18, 2014

      Sometimes labels are definitely handy. For me the big thing is to not live the label. Be yourself and live your life is what’s important.

      Reply

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