*Image from Pinterest*
For the past two decades, many people have been trying to compare themselves to other human beings. We have trapped ourselves into thinking this is what ‘normal’ people look like. When you scroll on TikTok and Instagram, you are fed conventionally attractive people with basic features, and now you can’t seem to wonder if you’re doing something wrong.
Correct answer: You are not! Everyone is unique in their own way, which makes them stand out from the people we see online.
Where did unrealistic standards come from?
They come from the media. From magazines to social media (scrolling for hours), we begin to hyper-fix ourselves on the way we look. It gives you self-esteem, and it makes you question whether you are considered attractive or not.
How it affects people on social media:
The more you scroll, the more you’ll compare yourself to other people. This can eventually cause body or face dysmorphia and ultimate self-esteem issues. If it gets worse, it could turn into depression or the beginning of suicidal thoughts. No one ever deserves it that way. What’s on social media is not normal.
Skinny = Pretty:
Many people tend to praise tinier body shapes over bigger or curvier body shapes because that’s considered the norm for everyone. Women and young girls are common when it comes to this topic. We cannot control how other people look whatsoever, but it’s made many young girls below the age of 10 think they are not pretty, if not skinny.
Anything outside of clear skin is weird:
Acne is the usual thing for people in their teenage years. I can’t lie; I suffer from acne issues, and sometimes it does get the best of me, but you cannot let that take over how you look. Acne is temporary. Your hormones will fluctuate and cause mild or severe skin issues. The people you see with clear skin suffer from the same things as you.
Filters that alter your facial features:
If you only use filters with every video and photo you take, that will be your face, and if you take it off to see yourself, you will hate it. No lies are being told. I used to always use filters to change my Afrocentric nose, and coming from me, your self-esteem will plummet every time you look in the mirror. You are still growing; learn how to grow into your face and appreciate what you were given.
What can you do as a person to stop feeding into the beauty standards?
Know that you will live with this face forever; it’s best to get used to seeing it at its worst and best every day. You are still young and are beautiful either way.
Comments