Rose is a 28-year-old recording artist and master of ceremonies who performs under the name Ms. Boogie. Through her performances, her fashion choices, and her skin-care routine, she is developing a deeper connection to her body and inner self, and is building the confidence that she needs to thrive every day.
Whether I’m struggling with gender dysphoria or simply having a tough day, I let it all go on the stage, and I step into my most confident self. My art and performance require intentionality, and a deep connection with my emotions, my creativity, and my body.
I see my aesthetic as an essential component of both my identity and my music — it’s my armor to deal with the world around me. When I think about my aesthetic, I think of the parts of myself I want to accentuate, like my smooth, glowing skin, my tattoos, and my bold outfits that hug my curves.
I use the time I spend in front of the mirror to remember to love my reflection. I remind myself that the parts of my body and skin that I feel masculinize me (and that I tend to zero in on) — like hair on my face, legs, or armpits, or wearing a larger than average shoe size — do not negate my womanhood. After all, there are many cisgender women who possess those same qualities, and they don’t question their femininity — so I’ve learned not to question mine. The ability to move past any negative feelings I have when I evaluate my appearance is important. Sometimes you just have to get up and go. I try not to spend too much time overthinking how I look to other people, because whatever is waiting for me out in the world is not going to wait on me forever.
My gender presentation and my body are sacred to me, and being able to represent the lineage of the women I come from — my mother and grandmother — with pride and dignity is integral to my self-expression. My mother and grandmother are both incredibly strong and resilient, and they’re proud of their bodies and sexualities. They’re not afraid to express themselves; they don’t fear aging, and they don’t have any hesitation when it comes to speaking their minds and representing themselves. These are qualities I try to embrace within myself, too, as I evolve into a woman.
As I transition from young adult to adult, I’m finding new and creative ways to channel my energy. I’m working on remaining active and present in all areas of my life, and on seeking support from my family and friends instead of retreating into solitude, because being able to do so is crucial for my emotional and mental health.
I don’t believe in completion as a goal, and I don’t measure myself according to anyone else’s success or standards. We’re all experiencing our own transitions, whether it’s from young to old, rich to poor, poor to rich, or whatever the case may be. We live in a society of standards and rules, but I’m determined to find my own rhythm to ensure that I can thrive in my skin, now and in the future.
As I transition from young adult to adult, I’m finding new and creative ways to channel my energy. I’m working on remaining active and present in all areas of my life, and on seeking support from my family and friends instead of retreating into solitude, because being able to do so is crucial for my emotional and mental health.
I don’t believe in completion as a goal, and I don’t measure myself according to anyone else’s success or standards. We’re all experiencing our own transitions, whether it’s from young to old, rich to poor, poor to rich, or whatever the case may be. We live in a society of standards and rules, but I’m determined to find my own rhythm to ensure that I can thrive in my skin, now and in the future.
Too-small-to-fail steps anyone can take to challenge perfection anxiety
