Its that time of year..you know where you start evaluating all that you have accomplished, all that you didn’t, where you went wrong, what you did right, all the while strategizing on your moves for the upcoming year. I am no different and I have been giving much thought to where I am trying to go in 2011. In the process of reflecting, my thoughts ventured to the ideal that society functions way too much on labels. SAHM, WAHM, WOHM, AP, MBA, Greek organization affiliations, single mom, divorcee…and the list goes on and on and on.
While such labels can help define what we do, our accomplishments or what organizations we belong to etc., in my opinion they are never to be misconstrued as defining who we are. Unfortunately the latter seems to be the norm, and whether we choose to admit it or not, these definitions are often used to generate stereotypes about people before they even open their mouths. These stereotypes can needlessly tear down or undeservedly build up. On more than one occasion I have been met with the “brush off” until answers were given to questions such as what do I do, what does my husband do, where was I educated..blah, blah, blah. You can honestly tell when individuals are being genuine or they are trying to tuck you into a “box”…the box with the bow or the one that is set outside beside the trash can.
Honestly, I’m just sick of the “boxes”. In the new year I am trying to think of creative ways to put off those types of questions, when I feel the wrong intentions are fueling the nosiness. If a person can’t take out the time to truly get to know me, but instead chooses to base their opinions of me on such things I would like to politely tell them to kick rocks in the new year.
*drops mic and steps down off of the soap”box”*
Anybody with me on this or do you differ in your opinion and feel the boxes can be stacked up and used as stepping stones. If you’re rolling with me on this one, what is a polite way to divert these types of questions?
I’m done…your turn!