Yesterday, a friend playfully mentioned that her 10-year-old daughter has become interested in wearing the “right kind” of outfits and is now also concerned with her mother’s choices. We had a good chuckle, realizing that we could relate to both the mother and daughter in this situation.
For me, it was my mom's bright pink lipstick and "mom jeans" with the electric waistband that had me voicing my distress. Now, as the mother of a 15-year-old, my Hokas and socks are his source of concern. I listen empathetically because I remember for myself how every little difference felt like a perceived inadequacy, and could be a factor in making me standout among others, even my mother’s shade of lipstick.
Now, at 45, my concern over what people think is almost nonexistent. I now see clothes as an extension of my personality, a way to match my outsides with my insides. Though living in Alaska makes this a challenge and I dream of the vintage shops and thrift stores full of interesting clothes found in more eclectic cities.
It took me until my 30s to fully embody this belief, and I find myself wondering why some move towards their authenticity at an earlier age than others. I recently watched a clip of Cyndi Lauper, where she talked about knowing from a young age that she was different and how she embraced this to stay true to her creativity, even though she often faced laughter and physical harm from it!
My vision with Nature Song is to create spaces where young people can openly explore these topics and find the support they need to navigate this challenging stage of life. In the upcoming Uniquely Me and Middle School Rising camps, youth will celebrate their uniqueness, explore meaningful topics, and build authentic connections. These camps empower them to navigate this pivotal stage of growing up with deeper understanding, support, and confidence.