Once upon a time
A couple weeks ago, one of my favourite small ones reminded me about folk tale, and their beauty even though I have always neglected it. Folklore has always sounded like fake news to me, a way of deceiving people and creating false expectations. However, when my friend’s child reminded me about Cinderella, it sounded charming and captivating.
He was exploring my office at home, where I organize all my things and also my shoes – I am not like Carrie Bradshaw, but I can feel ready to conquer the world in high heels! 👠 While he was exploring each detail, suddenly, he was surprised with a pair of my shoes. He said: A princess’s shoes!! It took me some seconds to realize he was talking about a new pair of shoes I have bought recently, a pair of flat sandals, a shiny one – the Cinderella’s glass slipper.
At that moment, it sounded cute, and I had to agree with him that those were my princess shoes, seeing myself as a princess through the eyes of a curious, open minded, and unbiased child! Since then, there has not been a day I have worn those shoes without feeling like a princess. It brought me a mix of emotions and made me want to learn more about this Cinderella girl — to better understand why this pretty lady bothers me so much!
So, Cinderella is a folklore, as are Snow White, Rapunzel, and Fiona, for instance. Their stories are always involved in tough circumstances, surrounded by mad people that supress their existence, trying to shut up their months. Luckily these ladies are always saved by a prince, who sometimes comes with a white horse, or with a talkative donkey. After a while, it turned into an archetypal name that brings to mind attributes like kindness, resilience, and hope – the ability to overcome challenges. On the other hand, poor step mothers, who are seen as jealous and evil people.
Beside these folklores bring traditional elements that I respect and recognize as precious values, I miss princess’ sense of responsibility. I cannot find her choices and efforts, even though they take risks.
To summarize, we grow up hearing these stories, generation after generation repeating models and expecting a “prince”, who can be a job, a trip, a friend, a partner. However, expecting a “prince” is not actually the problem, but what I am doing to have the prince is the point – my responsibility. Life is more than taking risks, responsibility is more than having choices. When I stopped criticizing Cinderella for all her choices, I found myself. Maybe like a princess, why not?
So, if you see me wearing my Cinderella shoes, know that more than a princess, I am someone who wears responsibility, working hard to be aware of my limitations and facing my ghosts. When I embrace my Ciderella side, I am able to fight for her, otherwise I would be fighting for something I do not even know.
And no, I won’t wear Cinderella’s shoes every day. Sometimes, I’ll wear Fiona’s!
