Have you ever just scrolled through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr and thought: I wish I had that hair, or I wish I had that body, or that's "goals." I know I have.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, every single aspect of our lives is displayed on social media for anyone and everyone to see. With this kind of pressure, it's only human nature to try to look our absolute best. However, there comes a point when trying to look our best turns into an obsession--- a competition.
Why does it become a competition? Why would anyone care to receive this false sense of confidence from likes and comments on a picture? Simple. This is what has become a main focus in our society today. So many young men and women feel the need to look perfect on social media to receive as many likes as they can. This feeling is due to the fact that all you see is the latest nearly-naked photo of that "technically perfect" female or male celebrity plastered on every social media site, every time you use your phone. These celebrities are the ones displayed for the entire world to see, therefore, they become the platform of what is "perfect" and "desirable."
Well, there's a catch. Those photos you keep comparing yourself to, the same ones that society refers to as "goals," these are most always altered in some way or another. Whether it may be photoshop, filters, plastic surgery, or just the highly-sexualized nature of the photo in general, these photos create false expectations for what every individual should look like. These false expectations are what lead to many appearance complexes in both men and women.
It's time to start snapping back to reality, and realizing that these "expectations" of beauty are lies. Who's to say one person is more beautiful than another, or that one body type is better than another? The comparing has got to stop. Here are a few examples of the lies society tells us about beauty.
1. "This isn't photoshopped."
2. "She isn't wearing makeup."
We all know the classic, "I'm literally washing my face on a television commercial. Don't I look perfect?" trick. All the big celebrities definitely have the helping hand of makeup in these commercials. I mean, they are on television and all.
3. "Check out this great exercise/diet plan."
Celebrities seem to always be promoting their latest exercise and healthy diet plan all over social media, accompanying a picture that shows what appears to be a very healthy and fit body. However, when celebrities have a new show or movie they are required to look slim and fit for, they twist the truth just a tad. Instead of a hearty and healthy diet and plenty of exercise, it has been found that they often starve themselves by taking an appetite suppressant called garcinia cambogia. Taking this with excessive exercise is actually incredibly detrimental to your health. So next time you see a celebrity fitness plan, just know, it is not a healthy goal to reach.
4. "Your size determines your beauty."
In our society, there is such a huge emphasis on what size a person is. It ranges from: "skinny women aren't real women," to "if you're 'thick,' you're fat." These types of messages are sent to all sorts of young women over social media using posts and pictures. When this is what is being put out there and people see it every single day, it becomes very hard for them to think of themselves positively. It becomes a competition between their self-confidence, and what society promotes as "beautiful."
5. "You need to fit this model to be beautiful."
What's the latest beauty trend that's in now? Big lips. Big lashes. Perfect contour. Collar bones. Great curves. Thigh gaps. Eyebrows on "fleek." It's something new every single week. Naturally, when following social media, people see the latest trends that are happening, and they just HAVE to follow the trend. Why? Because that's what's "in" right now. If you don't follow these trends, then are you considered beautiful?
Well, I've got an answer for you. You are beautiful. No one has the right to tell you otherwise. The way you were made is the way you were supposed to be. If you are insecure about something, by all means, you have the right to change it, but it's time to stop focusing so much on comparing ourselves, and to start appreciating what we were blessed with.
Body image issues and insecurities about appearances are what plagues every person, young and old, at least once in their lives. The rise of social media has only made matters worse. There will always be an abundance of over-sexualized photos promoted on social media sites and on magazine covers. However, beauty is not just appearances. It's not photoshop, filters, and plastic surgery. Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. It's about making a difference in other's lives. It's about making yourself the happiest and most successful person you can be.
And most of all, it's about loving who you are. Stop comparing yourself to unrealistic "goals," and start making your own happiness a priority.
