August 19, 2021

Reminding Myself I Don’t Need a Label

Yesterday I posted an old logo from Musings of a Muse on Instagram because I was questioning why I ever changed it. If you go back with me far enough you remember Musings of a Muse with it’s catch phrase of “A Blog from a Cosmetic Whore�. I changed that many years ago when my dev team at the time told me it wasn’t a good message and how “politically incorrect” it may be. I question why I agreed to that change. It wasn’t authentic for me. I liked it and I hate I felt somewhat shamed into believing I should change it.

I’ve always said that inspiration strikes in weird places and this particular post comes from a a deep, thoughtful discussion with an online friend late last night.

We spent many hours deep into the early morning talking and many things we’re discussed but one thing that applies here was our chat about labels and fitting into a box that perhaps someone puts you into or maybe society puts you in. I truly believe things don’t need to be labeled and don’t need a name. You don’t have to validate your feelings or emotions by giving them a name or fitting them into an organized little box. Who you are, who you aim to be, doesn’t need to be identified. You don’t need to name it, you don’t need to label it, you don’t need a little sticker on your chest saying, “Hi my name is Jane and I’m an over thinker or a bookworm or a nerd or an empowering woman (or man)….”

Don’t let someone convince you in your life or in the world that you need to fit into a box because it’s the right box for you and it has the right label on it that suits you. I feel like when I dropped that catch phrase I was letting someone tuck me into a box that felt better suited. I fit into the “beauty blogger” box and I had the “beauty blogger” label. And I don’t know if I liked that!

You don’t need a box, you don’t need a label, you be you and embrace who you are. You can identify with any number of things without every putting a name to it.

You’re you and that’s all you need to be.

Don’t name it, don’t label, just be.

Well, unless you want to be run around being called a cosmetic whore like me. In that case, eh, we can stick a label on it haha! 😀

Stay well and be good humans today! I know you already awesome humans but a gentle little reminder never hurts.

Thanks for always reading my babble.

16 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jane

    Ha. I�m so outside of a box that I actively repel followers and likes on Instagram; it�s my special gift in life. Make art that is inaccessible and difficult to love, despite it being largely flowers and cute things.

    I�m a little glad your team talked you into changing. Whore is such a rude word and used so negatively against women. I mean at this point if you changed back I�d still read you because I like reading your blog, but I�m just done with misogyny (latent, in your face, internalized, whatever�). We are a worse world for not having women represented better in it.

    • Isabella Muse

      Do you? But why? I always like validation of some sort, I like knowing I was heard or seen even though I struggle accepting a compliment 🙂 I don’t really see it as a rude word to be honest. I won’t get into a whole “political” discussion of why I think that but I don’t see it in a negative light. Of course, it depends in what context it’s being used obviously.

      • Jane

        Why do I repel likes? Seriously no clue. I am terrrrible at social media. Just my IRL tone does not translate. Or maybe my work sucks? I keep on keeping on.

        Well whatever you call yourself, I�m glad you�re here.

        • Isabella Muse

          DM over there I’d love to see your work and I doubt it sucks! I’m the same way! I have a seriously hard time accepting compliments so maybe you’re like that 🙂 <3! I'm glad you're here to and we can enjoy this moment together ;D

          • Donna Jensen

            I second being super super curious to see this repellant work now. Making flowers unappealing? I don’t think it can be done!

    • Donna Jensen

      I second this, I find the term “whore” really ugly. But, like Jane, I would still read your blog and I absolutely don’t take anything negative from YOUR use of it but when I hear the word I think of incels hurling that word against girls just trying to live their lives and misogynists and sex trafficking and abuse and underage girls being forced into prostitution; i don’t have any positive associations with the word at all.

      • Isabella Muse

        I totally understand Donna! Don’t worry, I really doubt it’ll return with a redesign but I always felt bad that I let others change what I liked!

  • kjh

    I am �woke� to using the term sex worker, because it is their source of income. And the alternatives are so pejorative in that context. The rest, the overwhelming whatever�.yup, it�s a whoredom. And those that sell out are also whores. Like most words that became idiomatic, �whore� is also used for the opposite. Everyone calls me the dog whore. To me, it�s the highest compliment. You are authentic. They can try to lever you into a box with a label, but it�ll never happen. Your protean self will wriggle right on out. It�s safe in the box with the label. My brilliant new coinage: It�s Stepford Media. Same instabrows, same oncoming train highlighter and a whole lot of intolerance. There�s a Bob Dylan quote�oh, yeah, he�s in the cusp of cancellation for #me too. Crucify him for that, but ya can�t take away his Pulitzer or Nobel. Strange times. No box here either.

  • Dusty

    Back when I did a lot of work as a freelance artist, I referred to myself as an “art whore.” It was an easy way to say, “If it’s creative and you’ll pay me, I’ll do it.”

    I struggled with labels back then too because I did so many varied things from illustrating children’s books to drawing porn (true story) to producing radio advertisements to product photography to retail space design, etc. I did a lot of random stuff.

    Which is probably why, after over a decade on YouTube, I still don’t know what my channel is… is it makeup? Music? Comedy? What? LOL

    I enjoyed reading your babble. Babble all you want.

    • Isabella Muse

      None of this surprises me Dusty ;-D I always give hell to Jay about his coffee house porn lol! I love you’re everything from jewelry to chicken at MAC! It’s EVERYTHING we want but didn’t know we needed over on your channel 🙂 Thanks my friend I truly appreciate that!

  • Dusty

    As an aside, there’s a movie with Theresa Russell from the early 90s called Whore that I probably saw a half dozen times as a teenager. I loved it.

    • Isabella Muse

      I remember it! We have so much to discuss! I have a freaking huge plane ride ahead of me! Gonna hit ya up more about what we discussed last night! SAXPHONE! ;-D

  • Maleah Gompper

    Hi Isabella..this is completely random but I would ask anyway. Do you have a review for Swiss Arabian Perfume Mediterranean Collection (Casablanca, Valencia and Florence)? I would love to know your thoughts on this collection. Thank you.

  • Sakura

    Oh my people are always trying to put me in a box! My looks don’t belie my personality. I’m a petite women who dresses feminine and looks much younger that I am. (Limited on how I dress because of being petite.) People assume that I’m a push over and act unpleasantly surprised that I’m not. Also frequently I get treated like a young adult or teen. Its so tiresome and frustrating. I wonder if you have the same problem? You are a kick as# professional its clear to anyone who reads this blog.