Gleeking Out: What Glee Taught Me about Loving Yourself

I never understood why people got so hooked on Glee. The show amassed a near cult following in my high school, and most of my dorm last year packed itself in the common room to watch each week’s new episode. Facebook statuses filled with updates about the latest scandals from season to season. But then something crazy happened: I became infected with the Glee fever. And now I’m never looking back. I’m a Gleek.
 
But this is not exactly an article about my obsession with Glee (at least, that’s what I’m telling myself.) It’s an article meant to rave about Glee’s self-love message. The moment of my conversion was seeing the cast perform GaGa’s “Born this Way,” and as the final notes of the song faded out, I was hopelessly doomed. The characters wore shirts admitting the one thing about themselves that they would maybe want to change—something they perceive to be a flaw—but which they are trying to embrace. Ranging from obsessive-compulsive disorder, to four-eyes, to likes boys, the admissions were so honest, it was admirable to see them dancing proudly in those shirts. It made me start to think about my own insecurities.
 
What would your shirt say? What one thing about yourself would you want to change, but that makes you unique? Maybe it’s something that you have struggled to accept for years or maybe got teased about by your peers. Well, that could just be the most beautiful thing about you.
 

Tough question. Honestly, there are a few things about myself that are embarrassing to admit and that I might like to change. I am really good at giving bad impersonations (you haven’t lived until you’ve heard my Marvin the Martian.) Operating cash registers used to terrify me. Whenever Frisbees are around, they seem to be attracted to my head. I can recite every line from A Very Potter Musical, and I have a fetish for strong veins. I only pretend to know how to dance, and I’m probably the biggest klutz you’ve ever met. My idol is a Dragonball Z character (and not even a good one.) Before I come to my senses and delete these confessions, suffice it to say that I have many things that make me a little weird, a little different. And you know what, collegiettes? That’s okay. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay if you don’t fit into the ‘perfect’ Duke mold. Glee taught me that.
 
What I love about Glee (well, one of the many things) is the diversity of characters. Some people say it’s unrealistic to think the jock, the cheerleader, the goth, the disabled teen, the female wrestler, the diva, the gay guy, and the bossy brownnoser (among others) could all embrace their differences and sing together. Well, maybe it is unrealistic. But Glee doesn’t ignore that difficulty. Episode after episode, the characters struggle with reputation: whether they pretend to not care about it, whether they’re invested in maintaining it, or whether they are being bullied over it, they all slowly learn to accept each other. My favorite moment ever was when all the Glee football players defended the recently out-of-the-closet Kurt from the other jocks threatening to beat Kurt up.

Because you know what? As much as people care about their reputations (get real, who doesn’t?) we are more than just labels. As much as you may be “slushied” for being different, or teased, or whatever other stupid thing some jealous person can think of to rain on your parade, the only thing that matters is what you think of yourself.
 
It takes bravery to embrace this line of thinking. I know it’s easier said than done. But I’ve learned that without acceptance of who you are, without an appreciation of all the things—big and small, weird and ‘normal’, wild and subdued—that compose you as a person, you can never be fully happy. And that’s the biggest sham(e) of all.
 
So find some self-love, dear collegiettes. Because you are awesome. As Lady Gaga would affectionately say, “You little monsters inspire me.” Embrace the different. Appreciate the so-called ‘flaws’. Point to that reflection in the mirror and say, “Hey hot stuff. Looking good. Eat your heart out world.”
 
Feel weird yet? Good.
 
I normally don’t solicit comments, but this is a unique case. I invite you to leave a comment, even if it is anonymous, admitting what you would emblazon your shirt with. What’s your hot spot? What’s one perceived flaw you have struggled with, but is something that is inextricably a part of you?
 
My shirt would say “Blabber Mouth” or “Drama Llama.” I can’t stop talking or being loud to save my life. I just have this insatiable urge to be heard. Maybe it’s because I’m afraid of what will happen if people tune me out or if they don’t listen. I might just turn invisible. And that’s unbearable. And there you have it.
 
Live long and prosper.
 

Photo credits:
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110428235448/glee/images/7/79/18%3B_BORN_THIS_WAY.jpg(born this way pic #1)
http://www.yidio.com/images/article/images/glee%20born%20this%20way.jpg(born this way pic#2)
http://screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/glee-blaine-slushie-la-1-31-12.jpg(getting slushied)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ITzPZgcbQk/TxkIM64vDLI/AAAAAAAAB1w/Bi94bqBLYro/s1600/GLEE.gif(complete cover)