The simplest things were noticed very easily amongst one’s peers. Would you happen to know the capital of Florida? Hardly anyone does. You would think it would be some glamorous place like Miami, or Orlando, maybe even Tampa. Not at all. Tallahassee, Florida is the capital. I am Fatimaa Howell and that’s were I was born and raised.
The beginning of my downfall
Self-confidence was something I learned late in life. It all started in second grade. My academic studies were a priority in my household and were never compromised. However, I was a t-ball practice one day and my mom noticed I could not hit the ball to save my life! She knew I was athletic and smart, but something just wasn’t right.
About a week later, I take a trip to the eye-doctor and left with a pair of hushpuppy glasses. Being a tomboy who wore glasses was not a good combination.
Resistance
Imagine getting that stare when you walk into a classroom with a fresh pair of glasses. My lacking self-confidence was then again shattered as all of my peers silently judged me. My own friends hardly recognized me. My new glasses were hideous, and made me look like a complete dweeb! To make matters worse, I had a constant headache, my equilibrium was off, and I even tripped on the playground one day as a result. Then, after two months, the resistance begun. My silent strike started out as me hiding the fact that I wasn’t wearing my glasses consistently. When my parents uncovered this secret, I was not wearing my glasses at all times, they cautioned me. My mother mentioned how much they cost, as my father tried to help me rebuild my self-confidence. Middle school was a full fledged war between my glasses & I.
I don’t need Google, my mother knows everything.
Frames for glasses have now come a very long way. There were once considered an ailment and costly. Now people wear glasses just to seem, “cool.” This is the one thing that upsets me. The same kids who teased me in grade school, are now the same teens wearing Ray Ban frames without prescription in the lenses. Like seriously? At this point in my life, as a high schooler, I had adopted contacts due to my athletic activities. I was also working at a local ice cream parlor. As I begin to realize how much my contacts were costing me, while considering all of the other things I could do with my money; I decided to give glasses a try again.
Courtesy of my mom, the social media guru; she found a dope online spot that has hundreds of custom frames. Warby Parker was a trendy, non-traditional online eye-wear retailer. Warby Parker, “Home Try-on Campaign,” is legit! They give you five total pair to try on. The frames you don’t like, just send them back, free of charge! To make it even better their social responsibility campaign consists of donating a pair of glasses to a person in need. Over 4 million pairs of glasses have been distributed through Warby Parker’s, Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program.
Online shopping in 2010 was relatively new, but 8 years later, I still have the same frames. Now I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I have changed my lens since my initial purchase. The quality of the frame is baffling. The customization created such an impact, that I have referred 20 or more family members, friends, and strangers. One may argue glasses are an accessory, but it is not that simple. “They are an extension of your personality,” as my mom would say. Warby Parker helped me to love my inner self. I have yet to find another frame that warms my heart. Warby Parker is a must try!
The Creative Cloud 