From the time I was old enough to go to the playground, I was that kid who wanted to be on the very top of the monkey bars.
“You can’t do that! You’re just a girl!”
Oh yeah? Watch me.
I absolutely hate being “justed”. You’re just not smart enough. You’re just a weakling. You’re just too young, too old, too fat, too short. Sorry, you’re just not what we’re looking for. You’re just white trash.
Being justed makes me want to do or be that other thing more than ever.
What breaks my heart is that there are people out there who take those words to heart and give up on their dreams and aspirations. We live in a world of wasted potential. It’s par for the course to get discouraged.
I strongly suspect that this happens more to women and girls than to men and boys. At least, this has been my observation. I hate that the girls of this world are often taught that they are just. Less than. Limited.
But the world is cruel in general, so I suspect it has happened to us all at one time or another. Not that that’s any excuse.
The next time you get justed, don’t give up. Turn it back on them. Say, “Just watch me,” and leave their judgmental butts in the dust.
Thanks, Lee, for inspiring this post!
