We’ve all had this thought, this doubt, that we’re not good enough for someone or something. This doubt may or may not have a reason plenty of times, especially when most of the times we underestimate ourselves. Amidst all this, a yoga teacher, actress and dancer named Jae West, decided to take a bold step towards self acceptance by getting the attention of the Londoners.
The interesting part is her way of doing it. She boldly stood in her undergarments in Picadilly Circus, one of the busiest areas of London. With wide arms, holding pens and markers in both her hands, a blindfold on her eyes and a board next to her feet that beckoned the public to take part in this social experiment.
“I’m standing here for anyone who has struggled with an eating disorder and low self esteem issues like me. To support self acceptance, draw a ‘heart’ on my body,” it said.
Jae, who suffers from a serious eating disorder complex since her schooling, always had a tough time accepting this or getting acceptance from others, which in turn led her to develop a deep inferiority complex since the very beginning.
“I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of vulnerability at what I was about to do. Observing the members of the public on a casual Sunday lunchtime, oblivious to the fear-ridden chatter that was going on in my head.” She wrote in her blog, expressing her fear for public rejection for this particular experiment.
Afraid of being ridiculed and mocked, she quoted further,
“As my clothes fell to the ground and I placed the blindfold over my eyes I could feel a shift of attention and confusion stirring in the air. My heart was racing while all the worst case scenarios were going through my head. I was scared that no one was going to draw a love heart on my body and I was going to be left out there in the open in my underwear on show to be ridiculed.”
She admitted of feeling relieved when she felt someone taking a pen from her hand and the nib touching her skin. After that, one by one she felt more and more pens being taken and hearts being drawn. Surprisingly, people from all ages actively took part in this. She also admitted to have been heard compliments from some people saying that she was a brave girl which made her bounce with joy.
This young lady boldly accepted her imperfections in front thousands of people and stood up for a courageous cause. Not only did it move the Londoners, but it also set an example for the rest of the youth to accept their flaws and live with it. The video which was posted on YouTube soon after this incident is now going viral on the internet.
Pre-defined notions of beauty have always slaved us into believing that somebody is not good enough. Beauty is always measured through some benchmarks that are set for it by the society and it becomes mandatory for everyone to follow these rules in order to be deemed as pretty. Thus, the true meaning of beauty and elegance is somehow lost today.
And maybe it reflects in this video itself. Would the public have responded the similar way if another person stood in her place? Another person who’s deemed as not so perfect, not so attractive by the society?
It may or may not be the case scenario. Irrespective of this question, I think we all should respect this young lady who courageously took a step forward to spread awareness about self acceptance. Not everyone has the courage to stand blindfolded and naked on the busiest streets of London. This has surely inspired lots and lots of people watching this incident from their screens. Maybe this is just the drop in the ocean, but we can surely expect this to change the life of the many watching her.
You too can watch the video of the experiment here and appreciate the courage of this young girl:
