Now, I understand all of these “services” are voluntary but I see most of them as necessary to stay in line with my contemporaries and expectations. And to be completely honest, I feel better about myself and my appearance afterwards.
Eye of the Beholder: Late Bloomer
High school was especially interesting. I had the personality of a 40-year-old with the body of a 12-year-old boy. (Maybe not really the boy part but that’s how it feels when you think everyone else looks like a coke bottle and you more closely resemble a ruler.) That was not exactly a winning combination. I never really had to worry about the boys falling head over heels. To be honest, I’m a little thankful for that lack of attention now. I, at least, never have to deal with losing that level of interest. I can imagine that change would be even more upsetting than never having it. But, trust, it sucked then. The only people who paid any attention were good friends who just seemed to realize I was a female. Very flattering. 
Eye of the Beholder: Vanity of Sight
As hormones started to kick in and the pretty girls were identified (for at least the next 10 years), being scrawny and boyish was bad enough. But I had to wear these thick plastic glasses too?! They were just setting me up for social failure. Beauties never wear glasses. You don’t see singers, actresses or models with glasses unless they’re playing the part of the nerdy and the less attractive. Glasses were like having braces, being flat-chested and having short hair. You just didn’t want that. Glasses did not equal attractive.
