This week for #strikingmums Kate has talked about being different and she has posed a number of questions for us to consider.
Are you different and, if so, how?
Yes, I think in many ways I'm different. I remember my mom telling me and my sister not to be a sheep and to do our own thing; not follow the crowd. Physically to look at me I think my height makes me look a bit different...I'm taller than your average girl at just under 6 foot. The other day my colleagues were taking the piss about my accent (in a fun way, not a bad way!). I was brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland but then aged 9 we moved abroad to the Middle East for a year and a bit. My best friend was American and I came back to Scotland with an American twang. Couple this with some time spent in Edinburgh and then 10 years in Glasgow and I have a unique accent. My colleagues seemingly think I say 'spider' weird. Anyway, I also remember coming back from our time abroad, where we were very lucky to travel and see the world, but I would get mocked by my school mates because most stories I had started with 'When I was in Doha...'. But then in other respects I'm not different... I'm a single mum, juggling the nursery & school run with work, worrying about finances, trying to keep up with housework etc and wondering if I'm doing a good enough job.
Do you celebrate your uniqueness or strive to fit it?
No, I don't strive to fit in. I am who I am. But it's taken me a while to be confident enough to say this out loud. I love my height... I wear massive heels and it doesn't bother me if I'm towering above everyone. I just have a better view ;-) I love my accent and I wouldn't want to change it. I don't care if I say words the wrong way, or a silly way. And everyone just has to put up with my crazy stories!
{image source}Are you ever judgemental of other mums who are different from you? Answer honestly even if only in your own head.
I would love to say that I don't judge others, but of course I do.
Not specific to mums though. I see people out and about wearing clothes that don't fit them well or have hairstyles that don't suit them and I think in my head 'that doesn't look good' or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I've been there myself... my 'pies' hanging out over my jeans for example (this is what I referred to my back fat as! I have learned to buy high waisted jeans!!)... or some of the insane hairstyles that I had growing up. One of my colleagues commented that my bob when I was in 5th year of school made me look like a man's you know what. I just wish that someone had told me!
I try and not judge other parents... it's a tough enough job as it is. But sometimes it's difficult not to. I remember seeing a mom on a bus and her toddler had a baby bottle full of Irn Bru. Sorry, but I judged her.
What would you like to be different about you?
I would like to lose a bit of weight and to tone up my body. This is for no-one else but myself...My clothes are getting too tight and they're not sitting well. I felt really self conscious when I was at my cousin's wedding the other weekend because my dress was a bit too snug around my thighs (hence why all the photos of me are top half only!). I know that I'll be a bit more confident when I reach my target.
I also wish my general knowledge was better. Sometimes I can be a bit blonde (and I'm not even a natural blonde!).
Hopefully I'll get to the point where I can say I don't want anything to be different.
{image source}Have you even been attacked or bullied for being different? How did that affect you?
Thankfully no, I've never been bullied.
If you had to write an advert for yourself as a limited edition, what would you say to make people think you were great?
Hmmmm...I'm not very good at blowing my own trumpet.
