Task 9

Task 9: Wear a dress. A real one. It would be even better if it is super feminine.

I don't wear dresses. If you know me but at all, the thought of me in a dress is probably quite hard to formulate. I have had a slew of reasons prepared for why I don't wear them. But, since I am attempting to overcome this fear I will be completely frank as to why not. The real reason is because I am afraid to wear something that is considered traditionally beautiful. I can't hide in something that is meant to show me off. What if, when I wear a dress people finally realize that I am actually not attractive? Placed inside something beautiful I think it would be easy to see that I am not very beautiful and not really suited for something so wonderful. Therefore, I have avoided dresses. I recognize that beauty comes from within and all that shit but some of it does rest on our bodies. Or in the world that we live in, as women, beauty is very much attached to our bodies more so than our insides. The compliments I receive often have to do with my appearance and not my mind. Rarely does anyone say, "my gosh, your brain is so beautiful Faeeza, you have really outdone yourself today." More likely, "You have nice hair." Who doesn't like being complimented and told they are beautiful? As much as I hate to say it, I am usually more flattered to be told that I look good then to be told that I am smart, intelligent, kind etc. This is incredibly shallow but painfully true. And so, despite my knowledge of this phenomenon being a constant in my life I am unable to counteract it effectively. I constantly find myself slave to my appearance. As ridiculous as that may seem, it is unfortunately true. A bad hair day will usually send me into the slumps faster than a bad grade or using the wrong 'there'.


The plan is to wear the dress this coming Saturday. I am not a hundred percent sure on what I think I will gain out of this experience. I just know that it scares me even to think of it and so I find it reason enough to do it. Documentation will be in the form of photographs.