A few days ago, I posted something on my insta-stories that I had witnessed at my gym. I received a beyond overwhelming response so I wanted to share it here in hopes it reach a broader audience as well as a few thoughts of my own about mean girls.
Last week after spin class, I decided to stay to do a quick circuit of arms. As I walked toward the weights, I noticed two new girls that I hadn’t seen before. They were total fitness models, beautiful & decked out in the cutest workout clothes. Since I didn’t have my headphones, I could hear their girl-talk; the regular, recapping the weekend, boy drama, etc. I wondered if these two would be my new gym friends. As I was midway through arms, another girl walked in. Regular black leggings, old tank top & frizzy hair pulled back in a messy bun, she put in her headphones & picked up some weights. That’s when their run of the mill girl- talk changed. These two model-esque women started blatantly making fun of this girl. Her outfit, the way she was working out, even questioning why she felt the need to work out her arms when other parts of her body needed more immediate attention; no topic was safe. My heart sunk. I stood there shocked, frozen & speechless until I realized the girl knew they had to be talking about her. It wasn’t conspicuous. The girl made a face of sheer embarrassment, put down her weights and hastily walked away. Still stunned that this could even occur, I threw down my weights and ran after this poor girl as I couldn’t imagine someone coming to the gym, trying to better themselves, only to be crying alone in the bathroom. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find her and think she left right away. My heart has been so broken thinking about this situation.
I’ve been thinking a lot about mean girls lately and know it’s been something every woman has dealt with in their life. In hindsight, I can pinpoint a specific time that nice girls transition to mean girls. Mostly, it seems to happen in late elementary or middle school with high school really being the big crescendo. While overall I had a good high school experience, I was not exempt from being the target of mean girl behavior. I came from a small private elementary school to a larger pubic high school, in a small town. So, therefore, I was an easy target. I was initially made fun of for being “too nice.” Girls said I was only nice because I wanted to be crowned homecoming queen at the end of high school. Really? In another instance, I had come home from NYC where I had seen so many cute, trendy girls wearing hats just like this one. I loved being “fashion forward” (let’s be honest, as much as I could for being a high schooler in the early 2000’s) and wore it to my school’s basketball game. I remember thinking about what exact outfit I would wear with my new beloved hat, exactly how I’d do my makeup; if you think back, it’s a big deal at 16. When a few of my girlfriends and my mom walked into the stands, a group of girls a year older pointed & audibly laughed (read: cackled) at me. Everyone stared. I felt like I may as well be wearing a clown suit. I played it off like Elle Woods in the bunny costume, but inside I was devastated.
Questions raced in my mind. Did I buy the wrong hat? Are hats dumb? Why didn’t I just wear an Abercrombie t shirt & jeans like everybody else at my school? But I can think back and remember the instant I realized it wasn’t me or my hat that these were laughing at. It was their own insecurity. That…and frankly, they were bitches.
What terrifies me most is that stupid mean girls from high school don’t just stay in high school. The big crescendo does not stop there. While my stories are minor examples, they are the instances I feel comfortable sharing; I know many women who had it way worse. And for what? Why do they feel the need to tear others down to build themselves up? Like our teenage awkward phases, why don’t these girls grow out of it?
I may not have been the target at the gym the other day but witnessing it still hurt. There is something to glean from this situation and it’s that mean girls turn into mean women. The gym bully body shamers, shit talkers, moms who feel the need to criticize how other women raise their children and the mysterious social media veil that seemingly makes it OK to make nasty comments. It has got to stop.
What happened to forging #GirlPower friendships on the basis of Spice Girls and working together to bring down Regina George? While I’m not lobbying for us to literally push all mean girls in front of buses, I am hoping that more women will give up their immature and insecure ways and just be kind. Why are we competing against each other when there is room for everyone to be successful?
I hope the next time you’re in a situation with a mean girl, I hope you say something. Because I know I will. I hope next time something judgmental or callous about a friend pops into your head, I hope you refrain from saying it. Because I know I will.
There is enough pink for us ALL to wear on Wednesdays.
Cheers
Wonderful post! Especially love your ending!
Thanks, Gretchen!
you’re the cutest, ily <3
xoxoxox
I am a new reader of your blog and absolutely love this post! I also experienced “mean girl” behavior in high school, my 20s and, unfortunately, still into my early 30s. Thank you for bringing attention to such an important topic!
I am a new reader of your blog and absolutely love this post! I experienced “mean girl” behavior in high school, my 20s, and unfortunately, even into my early 30s. Thank you for bringing attention to such an important topic!
Hi Megan! Thanks so much for reading. I’m so sorry to hear about your experience -there is no more room for mean girls in our culture! xox
I often find myself wondering this same thing. Why waste one’s energy bringing others down?
When I experience grown-up bullying, I try hard to to remind myself that it’s something self-conscious women do to bring others down so they feel superior, like you mentioned in your post. But somehow that never stops it from stinging…
I love your quote saying: “Why are we competing against each other when there is room for everyone to be successful?” AMEN. I mean really, we all benefit when everyone contributes and adds value to our society and economy. I don’t know why people feel like others have to be less in order to be more.
You are SO right, Kelsey. It does sting but it’s totally a reflection of their own issues & insecurities. There’s room for all of us at the top! 🙂 xoxo
Well said! I also experienced “mean girl” behavior in junior high and some of high school. I’ve never understood how people can feel good making others feel bad. Schools need to spend more time focusing on this problem. Parents need to talk to their kids about it at home. There needs to be more communication all around. As the saying goes, “Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” If that thought crossed people’s minds every time they were about to be mean to someone, maybe it would make them think twice before they opened their mouths. Thanks for shedding light on this subject!
Great article and so true and so sad
First time I have ever felt the need to post. Such a great blog. Growing up in the same high school (several decades earlier!) I understand your comments perfectly, although it happens everywhere. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being that girl that would run after the girl being shamed. We need to build each other up and be kind. You truly have your mothers heart. She is just as compassionate and kind.
this is amazing and so true. Women should be standing together and not starting wars. It just makes everyone miserable. Very well said!
Thanks Taylor! We are so powerful when we all work together!
Is this the little Anna I remember? Wonderful article!!!
Mrs. Priest- thank you so much for reading- what an honor 🙂
Nice blog, Anna. Such an interesting topic. My own mom turned into a mean “girl” toward me – and others. She cannot stop being very mean. I am able to realize it has to be her low feelings of self worth, but being a mom, I cannot imagine how she can act this way. It will always make me sad. Sad for her loss of what could be a loving relationship. Because of her, though, I am an awesome mom with loving and successful children. God is great. Always a silver lining.
I’m just discovering your blog thanks to your Mom! This article caught my eye as I feel like all of us feel like a victim at one point or another. Girls can be cruel creatures. Each of us needs the encouragement to be the girl “chasing” the victim. I know I’ve encountered a few instances where I should’ve/could’ve reacted better instead of standing there in disbelief. Not to mention that I find myself making fun of myself in order to beat the naysayers to the punch. Which is another clue to identifying a victim of bullying. However, I don’t consider myself a victim because without those experiences, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Today, I am alot of things; but a victim – I am not.
Hi Kathy- thanks so much for reading! This post is one that is near & dear to my heart.The world can always use more kindness! xx
Thank you for this post, I’ve come home from the gym where I was at the sharp end of some evil eyes by two gym girls. I didn’t realise at the time because I was just doing what my trainer was asking me but I think I might have passed by a girl lifting and distracted her at a key moment. I know it’s something to ignore and I’m still going to keep going back, but it has hurt me and also made me question why this happens, why can’t people be nice?! Or, maybe even point out my error at the time so I could have apologised and learned for next time?! There’s no need for mean looks and whispering amongst friends women!