“OMG, you are perfect.”

This statement, often followed by heart eyes emoji or fire emoji, has become one of the most commonly commented statements on pictures circulating through all forms of social media.

Whether it is the caption on a photo of Blake Lively on the red carpet or just a friend's bikini picture, this comment has come to irk me as one of the most outrageous and unfair “compliments” that, very simply, is continually perpetuating our unrealistic understanding of beauty and what it means to be a woman.

The amount of amazing, talented, intelligent and inspiring young women I have met that struggle with body image and confidence issues floors me on a daily basis. The major factor is the fact that we look at pictures of our peers or of celebrities and instead of complimenting them on something we individually appreciate about them, whether involving looks or personality, we idolize this human and place an egregious label of “perfect” under their name.

The reality is no human being on this planet is perfect. We each have flaws, both physically and in regards to our character, and by labeling an individual as “perfect” due to their physical appearance eternalize the constant struggle us young women face every day in the vanity-based society we live in.

I, unfortunately, have become a friend of far too many young women who have suffered from crippling eating disorders, severe depression and social anxiety all with significant ties to the inability to adhere to the “perfect” standard. Perfect may mean something different to everyone which is exactly the problem. Perfection doesn’t truly exist in our world, especially among human beings and to adhere a beauty or image standard of perfection, even an implied one is degrading the young women of our society.

To be honest, the compliment itself is an immediate lie. Commenting “you’re perfect,” or “this is perfect” on someone's picture doesn’t mean much in the long run since, very technically, it's incorrect in all ways. Psychologically, it does absolutely nothing for the receiver of the compliment and those reading it come to look at the complimented individual and say, “Well if people consider her “perfect,” and I am different from her, what does that say about me?”

Using the word “perfect” as a common adjective alienates a whole group of individuals that do not comply with whatever the esteemed “perfect” look, trend or behavior is.

Personally I have no use for the word at all. There are so many more things I would rather be called than perfect, especially since I know that's incorrect. In fact, I am the kind of person who absolutely adores the flaws in other people. I love seeing someone become vulnerable and get to the roots of who they truly are. I think my fascination with this coincides with a flaw’s distinct tie to making us truly human.

Our imperfections, our inability to achieve perfection can often be one of the most beautiful things about us, something we all need to start embracing.

Our understanding of beauty should be focused on the unique aspects of an individual rather than the societal stigmas that replace the veritable value of all women. Instead of using “you’re perfect” in a comment, maybe give the individual you are complimenting a legitimate testament to your appreciation of them.

Compliment their infectious smile, their playful nature, their sparkling eyes. Tell them they are beautiful, inside and out if you truly believe that.

Perfection isn’t beauty, individuality is.

Removing “perfect” as a complimentary adjective from our rhetoric is an important step in combating the image issues that run rampant through the young women of our world.