I’m sick of society’s notions of beauty and attraction, and yet I can’t help but feel like a victim of these norms:

  • Must stay in shape
  • Must bleach teeth
  • Must tan skin
  • Must disguise thinning hair
  • Must eliminate other, unwanted body hair

So much of me wants to take the high road: “I wouldn’t require these things in a man!” But then I think of the ideal dream boy…tall, dark, handsome…chiseled, even. Beauty isn’t the only important thing, however. Intellect and personal philosophy are also crucial. Does such a person exist? Probably, but would they be equally attracted to me if I had only one and not the other?

More so I worry about my own standards in meeting people if I were to spend countless hours at the gym just to get in better, more desirable shape. Eck.

How can I reconcile with what I consider “ideal” when even I don’t necessarily live up to my own standards?

I guess it all comes down to the notion of homosexual–same sex. Maybe the best person for me is someone who shares my hang-ups of body-type and brains.

Or maybe I should just not worry so much about attracting another person, and that alone will be attractive enough.