How can one really define what beauty is? I am a strong believer that you can find beauty in anyone and it doesn’t take a hot body, pretty face, or perfect smile. Nowadays, women all over the nation feel this desperate need to maintain the standards of physical beauty that society sets for us. So why does our society get to have these unattainable expectations? Are we going to keep living like this day after day? It’s about time we let go of these judgments and accept ourselves for who we really are.
A lot of the time people associate the word “beautiful” with a physical attribute. She has “beautiful hair,” “beautiful eyes,” “a beautiful face.” Our minds are surrounded with these phrases that are so commonly thrown around. I want to try to enforce a new way to use the word beautiful. Women should feel beautiful for their mind, hearts, and personalities. I would rather have someone compliment me on something about my persona as opposed to my outside appearance any day.
Social media, celebrities, and advertisements have changed the way women are perceived. Women are risking their health to fulfill something that isn’t possible. Tanning beds, plastic surgeries, and eating disorders are all measures young girls and women are taking to look a certain way. Take a moment to ask yourself who are you really doing this for? Are you trying to get the attention of that guy you’ve always had a crush on? Are you insecure with your all-natural self? Or are you simply trying to mimic the way that famous Instagram model looks? I hate to break it to you all but no matter how many surgeries you go through, or how many times you go to the tanning beds you are never going to be fully satisfied with yourself. Your body’s health shouldn’t have to pay the price.
A close friend of mine just lost a family friend this past week from melanoma. She was only 20-years-old and a frequent bed tanner. It is scary to think how just by trying to alter her skin tone she ended up killing herself without ever intending to and was so young. Situations like this are more common than you think, but most girls ignore the possible consequences in hopes of achieving the beauty standards. Catherine Cando, an Ecuadorean beauty queen, died after following through with a liposuction surgery this past January. A stunning, well-educated, 19-year-old girl who had it all going for her, but lost it all because everything she had simply wasn’t good enough. I have had countless friends who have suffered from eating disorders ever since I was in middle school. Imagine a 14-year-old girl feeling like her body can’t compare to the models they watch on the Victoria Secret Fashion Show. It is saddening to see them so unhappy and suffering. The worst part is that you know there is nothing you can do to stop it from controlling them. We need to remind women of how the are uniquely beautiful.
Beauty shouldn’t be baggage. It shouldn’t be something that you feel like you have to keep up with. Women should be allowed to walk around with no makeup on and feel confident doing so. You don’t have to try and prove anything to anyone. In order to be truly happy with your appearance you have to look beyond the expectations of others, and see past just the physical features to realize that you are beautiful just the way you are.
