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In Defense of the Ordinary Barbie

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IN DEFENSE OF THE ORDINARY BARBIE

By: Amanda Hyslop | September 7, 2023

The sweet ease of summer - the sun-kissed days, the leisurely mornings, and the thrill of blockbuster movies. This season, my daughter and her exuberant friend led me on an adventure to the silver screen, where the larger-than-life spectacle of Barbie awaited us. This women-led blockbuster has made history at the global box office, grossing $1.03 billion -- and for good reason. Little did I know that behind the glitz and glamor lay a cinematic journey that would tug at the threads of my existence as a 44-year-old woman.

As the lights dimmed and the screen came alive with dazzling pink visuals, I found myself navigating a delightful plot filled with fun and humor, punctuated by poignant moments that stirred my being. The film's narrative deftly weaved through themes that have been etched into the fabric of my womanhood - the ever-evolving standards of beauty, perfectionism, and the power of authenticity.

Ah, the elusive standards of beauty - a maze that countless women, myself included, have been entangled in. Just last week, an invitation arrived that left me puzzled: not one, but two invitations to Botox parties. If you're unfamiliar with the term, a Botox party is an event where cocktails are served alongside the presence of a skilled medical expert. Typically, when a specific group of participants is confirmed, attendees will be offered discounted rates for Botox and Fillers. With the enticing prospect of getting together with friends for a fun time, a lingering question hung in the air, much like a suspended note of a melody - should I feel flattered or offended by this exclusive invitation to the party? Had I reached an age where my wrinkles and aging were becoming more noticeable? Was it now the norm or perhaps even expected to consider using Botox?

I politely turned down the invitation letting my friend know I hadn’t made the Botox leap yet. My friend's response was reciprocated in politeness. She wrote, "You're beautiful on the inside and out." This common phrase is what we women often say to each other, uplifting us briefly out of our trance, snapping us out of that mindset where we're too fixated on how we look, as if that's the only thing defining us as women.

Barbie, the movie, holds up a mirror challenging the prevailing notions of conforming to "standards of beauty." In a poignant cinematic moment, Barbie encounters an older woman chilling on a real-world bench. This lady isn’t ticking all the beauty boxes, yet Barbie gives her a shout out for being beautiful. The older woman delivers one of the film's most impactful lines: "I know," she says with confidence. It's moments like these that make me aspire to become that older woman- self assured, rocking confidence like a boss and flaunting that crown like it's her top accessory. Slay girl slay!

Here's another twist, in our world of magic anti-aging potions and fancy surgeries, I had a chat with my 14-year-old daughter, who's like a wise screen-savvy guru of her generation. She dropped a truth bomb that perfectly captures our modern irony. She goes, "Mom, there's this girl on TikTok preaching about taking care of yourself, but she's also selling acne cream." I couldn't help but chuckle. It's just so amusing how us ladies get caught up in this whole mix of contradictory ideas about self-care and self-love. And as I thought about it, the whole picture of how I see myself and the complicated journey of embracing age and imperfections unfolded right in front of me. You see, it's a conundrum - the ceaseless desire to present one's best self to the world, while refusing to be shackled by societal benchmarks of high standards of beauty and expectations. Isn't this the exact spot where most of us find ourselves?

Near the end of Barbie, Gloria, played by the actress America Ferrera, proposes the idea of making an Ordinary Barbie, and oh what a concept it is! A doll representing a person with the freedom to have their own goals. Ordinary Barbie isn't trying to be the president, an astronaut, or a supermodel. Instead, as Gloria eloquently phrases it, she simply “wants a flattering top, and to get through the day feeling kind of good about herself.”

In a world bedazzled by materialism, and the pressure to be the best, the notion of celebrating the everyday feels revolutionary. It's a call to arms against the ceaseless battle against likes and followers, promotions, awards and titles, wrinkles and blemishes. It's a bold declaration that every thread woven into our life's fabric forms a noteworthy narrative.

But let's not be mistaken, this journey towards embracing the ordinary is no breezy stroll. It's a tug-of-war between societal pressures and the courage to stand firm in one's skin. The Ordinary Barbie, in my opinion, isn’t ordinary. She is the quiet revolution beckoning us towards a rebellion against the silent shackles of perfectionism.

The battle to stay authentic is not for the faint of heart. In a world enamored with external achievements, the concept of merely being oneself, seems like a subversive act. I live in a neighborhood where accolades adorn the high achievers and the spotlight gleams on the C-suite occupants. Not that anything is wrong with this admiration. However the glossy narrative of wealth and titles often overshadows the quiet power that emanates from within, the strength to be content in our own skin, and the ability to walk our own path.

The Ordinary Barbie for me emerges as a symbol that we are all running our own race. It's a dance between our intrinsic desire to be acknowledged for who we genuinely are and the alluring mirage of societal approval. In the realm of aspiration, authenticity is the compass that guides us, a relentless reminder that in our quest to be in this world, we must not lose ourselves. We must do more of what we love whether that is gardening, parenting, teaching yoga, exercising, practicing law, participating in community service, writing, playing in a band.

So, as the credits rolled and my daughter and her friend stepped out on the warm summer night dressed all in pink, I couldn't help but mull over the messages that unfurled before me. The laughter, the tears, and the spectacle of Barbie had woven us together a tapestry of compassionate introspection. In the final spotlight, the movie left an indelible note: within life's grand theater, each of our inner Barbies takes center stage, deserving of applause.

Amanda Hyslop is rocking the mom life with two whip-smart kiddos, Sienna & William, and her hubby, Bill, who has a knack for dad jokes. By day, she's a go-to Advice Nurse at Tamalpais Pediatrics; by night, you'll find her playing the keys or hitting the pavement for a run. Amanda's all ears for your thoughts amandahyslop@gmail.com and will get back to you – just as soon as she locates that pesky missing sock!