When "pretty" fails to be a compliment
When I was younger I dreamed of about being called pretty by a boy. I would lay awake at night and fantasize about a line of men waiting to tell me about my own beauty and how it captivated them. I thought it was the highest complement a girl could receive from a man. "You are so beautiful," felt like the ultimate validation from a man. Those words filled me with reassurance that I was good enough and had worth. As I got older the power of these words continued to holds sway over me but I was unaware of the price I was paying to hear them. I have always been a loud girl and full of energy. I have a loud laugh, which I enjoy using as often as I can. I am also opinionated. I speak my mind freely and often without reservation. Although, time, temperament, and experience has given me a better poker face and the gift of diplomacy. As a women, possessing these strong traits earned me the kiss of death label: "intimidating." I spent many years wondering why boys I l
