From an early age, we're all taught to take care of our appearance. Whether it be to help us get the attention of that person we like, or, as adults, we must look good to be taken seriously. But there is a limit to where we should monitor our appearance, and we have passed this limit.

As social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and even Twitter, grow larger and larger, video and pictures are becoming a means of credibility. If your profile picture is an egg or just a default silhouette, no one is going to want to look at your profile. Progressively, this gets worse when it comes to the type of picture you set as your profile picture. What are the people who see that picture going to think? What if I turn away potential followers, or worse--potential boyfriends--because I look ugly?? And once you've managed to deal with that dilemma, you need to create a style and a persona that you want to portray on the Internet. You can't post that picture because you can see your arm fat, your smile is crooked, or that strand of hair is totally out of place.

The point is--we're always working for someone else. Who are these people you're trying to look good for? Who are these people you're trying to impress? And the key question is: do they really f*cking care?

The first, most important question to ask yourself is: Why am I doing this?

Most of the time, we catch ourselves acting to impress others. In the age of narcissistic social media platforms, we believe that creating an online image of ourselves will attract more people, and we find acceptance and comfort in the likes that we can accrue. But depending on these likes and followers only really drags us down because the day your average goes down, so does your self-esteem.

All in all, it comes to realizing that everyone is pretending. Whether it be online or in the real world, everyone is putting on a front for everyone to enjoy. But it's important to realize this and portray a persona we want to be, not a persona that we think others want to see. The pictures you post online shouldn't be to seek approval from those followers you wish you looked like. It comes down to being the person you want to be for you--not for anyone else. Along with being someone for you, you have the responsibility to teach others the same. We are all of substance, not just a summary of the pictures you post online. We are all capable of being more than what social media limits us.

Social media is toxic if we let it become toxic. You weren't born to be pretty. You were born to impact people and the world in your own way. Don't rely on these temporary, arbitrary platforms where everyone is pretending. Choose to share pictures and information that will better you and the people you're sharing them with. There's so much more to you than just a pretty picture.