One small stand

I walked away from the job in Yorkshire. I had not been told at interview about the dress code. A business suit must be worn during the school day, but women are not permitted to wear trousers. During the evenings, and at weekends, casual clothing may be worn. I had a pair of sports shorts on, and the Head of House looked at my legs and said, "Haven't you got anything else to wear? Some of the male staff will wear sports shorts, but we need to be setting an example of what young ladies should dress like."  

It's archaic. No place for those ideas in the 21st century. But similar views are everywhere; that people should wear certain things, and that people should look a certain way. There may not be rules and dress codes, but the expectations are inescapable. We don't even notice as they seep into our way of thinking; I've got to look younger, older, thinner, stronger, if I want to be someone. I'm bored of it all. Bored of everything that says it's not enough to be alive, not enough to simply be.