After seeing the film Miss Representation, our PR and Digital Media Specialist, Erin, was left feeling inspired, conflicted and contemplating a break up with her newest guilty pleasure – the Kardashians.

miss representation – a film

Recently, our CEO Christine Day introduced a film at a local theatre called Miss Representation. The film, written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, explores the media’s misrepresentations of women and how those images impact women’s ability to achieve leadership positions. This, of course, sparked a ton of conversation around our office (an office that is, might I add, heavily influenced by females).

how do women show up in my life?

After watching the movie, I was inspired to critically evaluate my own media consumption habits. How are women showing up in my favourite television shows, movies and magazines? Are they being represented in a way that is consistent with my core values? If not, should I reconsider what I watch and read? …AKA do I have to give up my fascination with reality TV in order to be an authentic stand for women in media?

finding a happy-medium

My list of questions grew longer after each conversation I had and I became more and more conflicted. What I did discover, was that I am more inspired by authentic images of woman accomplishing amazing things – like a headstand or PB – than I am by too-thin runway models. There’s a difference between the people I choose to look up to versus what I’m entertained by. Making this simple distinction helped me define where I stood.

representin’ the miss

I realized that as long as I’m educated about the fact that the portrayal of women in the media can be a far cry from reality, than indulging in my guilty pleasures (like an US Weekly for example) isn’t the worst thing I can do. My biggest takeaway: educate and inspire the people around me to be able to make these same types of distinctions.

Interested in seeing the film? Find a screening near you! Side note: some of us here at the Store Support Centre are headed to see Friends With Kids (written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt) tomorrow night. Good company, movie popcorn and a female writer/director – we like it.

The more the merrier – join us! Friday March 23 2012 | Cineplex Odeon, Vancouver, BC | 5:20PM

meghan's goals

One year goal: I travel, teach yoga workshops, and lead retreats a couple of months out of the year by 2012.

One year goal: I create art, music, photo essays, clothing, writing, and yoga videos that I share with the world by 2012.

One year goal: I (safely) ride a motorcycle around India and study with bright beings by 2012.

One year goal: I write and record an album by 2012.

Two year goal: I travel via motorcycle wherever the wind blows, teaching yoga and creating a documentary by 2013.

Three year goal: I help create sustainable money free retreat/village "tree house" centres which revolve around giving back, simple living, real joy by 2014.

Five year goal: I speak 4-5 languages by 2014.

10 year goal: I live sustainably part time in a "tree house": growing food, creating beauty, and travelling part time to educate and always be educated by life by 2017.

Inspired by Meghan's goals? You can also turn your dreams into reality through goal setting. Learn more about it here: http://www.lululemon.com/education/goalsetting

View Meghan's top here.  

View Meghan's pants here.