Growing up, who did you want to be like?
At the risk of sounding like an unrealistically functional child/teen, I never wanted to be like anyone but me. A skinnier me, no doubt, but me. Sure, I tried out (repeatedly) for cheerleading in middle school, but that was more about hoping to get a boyfriend than anything else. I didn't want to be like any of my friends who were cheerleaders and/or had boyfriends. I just wanted to cheer and have a boyfriend of my own. I suppose that's a very fine line there, but I don't remember crossing it.
In high school, I finally got those boyfriends of my own. I also sang and did theatre. And while I admired other singers and actors (famous ones and my peers), I didn't want to be like them. I wanted to improve my own voice and acting. A clearer line this time, and I still didn't cross it.
What about you? Who did you want to be like growing up?
No one really sticks out in my mind like a friend in school or a rockstar. but I'd have to say my sister. She had way more fashion sense than me - and still does!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post. Who would I like to be? I don't know. A good person. Myself. I suppose that doesn't answer your question, does it?
ReplyDeleteAngela- "Myself"...I guess we'd answer the question in the same way then.
ReplyDeleteWow. That's great that you had such a strong sense of self during high school.
ReplyDeleteLaura- I do remember encouraging my younger sister to try on long jackets and skirts at the mall because she had the height and lack of curves to wear them. Still, I don't remember wanting her figure or height. I just wanted to be a skinnier me.
ReplyDeleteAlicia- I had great friends to thank for that also (not just my parents). No one ever made me feel like I needed to be anything other than me. I suppose that's even rarer than supportive parents.
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and I love that you credit your parents as role models and your friends.
ReplyDelete(I also wanted to be a skinnier me in HS, which I can blame on working at a frozen custard shop ;)
Rebecca- frozen custard...ah, I miss my hometown frozen custard. It was near the park where I did summer theatre as a kid, so I guess I also have them to blame for not being a skinnier me back then :)
ReplyDeleteHi there, I'm stopping by from RTW. You had it a lot more together in high school than I did. I'm glad some kids did!
ReplyDelete"So, as a grown up, I would like to be like someone else...like them as a parent."
ReplyDeleteLove that!
What a great answer! I wish I was in that place in high school, but I'm there now (most days).
ReplyDeleteA solid sense of self - that is such a wonderful thing to have. You, Jennifer, are wonderful! <3
ReplyDeleteVery cool answer! Helping you now to be so confident then - and the parent part - awwwwwweeee!
ReplyDelete