At a young age we are taught to count. We learn to multiply, add, subtract, and divide numbers. Numbers have been used in our lives for as long as we can remember, but we have distorted the sole purpose of numbers. Now, we let numbers define our self-worth, happiness, beauty, and intelligence because society has told us that numbers are what make us perfect. I have let numbers define me, but I realize now that I can work to become who I want to be without these numbers. I define myself.
Grades and test scores are a big defining number for most students. My philosophy teacher has interesting views on the American grading system; all of our tests, including our midterm and final, were open book. She believes that we should be able to apply our knowledge, instead of just memorizing facts. This mentality has stuck with me and I remember it each time when I get upset about a test score. I may not know all of the facts at the end of the semester, but will I practically apply what I have learned? For too long, I have let my grades define my self-worth. If it wasn't perfect, then I felt like a failure. My test anxiety increased and made me perform worse on tests, all because I bullied myself into thinking these things defined who I was. Good grades are something to strive for, but you do not need to beat yourself up over one bad grade; it won't define your intelligence or future success.
I will be the first to admit that I am afraid of stepping on a scale. After a weekend of unhealthy eating, I dread seeing my weight go up. It makes me lose some confidence in myself and it ruins the rest of my day. You are each more than the number on the scale. Weight does not define perfection or beauty, so why do you let society tell us to be a certain weight or look a certain way? What really matters is that you are healthy, so don't let the number on the scale define your beauty or self-worth.
With the increased use of social media, it is hard not to pay attention to how many followers or "likes" you get on a picture. Bud doesn't a kind comment face-to-face go a lot further than a virtual "like."? Unfortunately, we've let "likes" and followers define our popularity, beauty, and success as individuals. But is having 400 followers of people you don't know better than having the 4 best friends who would do anything for you? A real friendship is a lot more valuable than 400 followers. The number of "likes" and followers you have does not define you, the purposeful relationships you make do.
Beauty standards today are defined by the size of our jeans, cup sizes, and the size of our waist, thighs, and butt. I sometimes find myself wishing I had smaller thighs or bigger breasts, but does that really make me more attractive or will I find myself wishing for even more? We are each unique in our own way. We each have different body types and we should not strive to be a certain size. Healthy is more important than size 0 jeans. Your beauty is not defined by the number on a tag.
You are more than grade you receive. You are more than the number on the scale, or the likes you get on an Instagram photo. You are more than the weight you lift, or the number on your tag. You are intelligent and beautiful. You are more than the numbers you have blindly led yourself believe define who you are. Be happy, kind, healthy and become who you want to be, because you define yourself.
