It’s curtains for any stigma. The show of hate has closed down.
An image consultant wrote a 5-star review of my memoir Left of the Dial.
Now more than ever I stand by my assertion that the role of stigma is overrated.
Followers, everyone knows. And the kind people, the compassionate people, don’t care.
[You think it’s a secret but it’s not.]
The haters are jackasses. Do you really want to waste one minute of your life trying to get a jackass to like you and approve of you?
In the wise words of John Maxwell: “They can’t hurt you unless you let them.”
If you allow the haters to dictate how you feel about yourself, that’s a form of internalized shame.
You are kinder, you are stronger, and you are braver than that. You are wise and you are worthy.
Fight for your rights if you’ve been discriminated against in obtaining housing or other legal opportunities because of your mental health diagnosis. Put on your boots, because like Nancy Sinatra sang, those boots can walk all over another person.
Make no mistake: other than legal violations, wasting time worrying about potential stigma will rob you of having a full and robust life.
Repeat after me: the people who are kind and compassionate don’t care if you have SZ or BP or DP or whatever you have. Seek out friends and lovers who aren’t afraid.
The ones who are going to get spooked by your diagnosis have issues. You don’t need them in your life.
The only baggage I covet is Louis Vuitton. Better yet, make mine a Sac du Jour.
I’ll end here with this story:
I watched on TV as Letitia James–the first African American woman to hold the position–was sworn in as Public Advocate of New York City.
She now holds the second highest ranking elected office in the City.
She wore knee-high boots to take the stage at her inauguration.
Take a tip from Letitia James:
Use your clothing to speak your mind.
Any questions still about designing your life through personal style?
Left of the Dial 