Tabloids, Television, Social Media, even our president.
We are engulfed by a society that expects nothing less than physical perfection from each and every one of us. It seems that no matter how intelligent you are, how great of a parent you are, what you’ve done to better the world, all of these do not compare to your physical composition. This is an issue nationwide which can lead to so many issues within the growing generations.
Magazines are plastered with ideal images of perfection and how to achieve the unachievable. Diet tips and exercise suggestions to get that “beach bikini body” or those “chiseled abs”. Constant comparison of celebrities on who is the more attractive of the two, how makeup is the key to beauty but not too much because then you are over doing it. You can also find tips within the pages on how to make yourself more attractive.
Billboards plastered far and wide on what you should look like and if you don’t, these people can help. Plastic surgeons with images directly linking one’s physical appearance with their worth which is what some of their business thrives on, the insecurities of others.
The growth of social media has begun to cause a generation to base their worth off of likes and comments along with people becoming famous for being that idea of perfection that many are striving to achieve. Filters and editing apps, all helping our society skew our image the way others want us to be viewed, causing us to feel insecure with our true un-edited self.
I believe we as a society need to fight and rebel against the ideal of perfection because it is not helping any of us. Beauty should not be some sort of checklist that you must complete to be seen as thus. We are being forced to try and become something else instead of loving who we are born to be. We are all beautiful the way we are, inside and out. We have things that make us who we are and we should embrace that.
Embrace the things that society tries to force you to change, love the parts of you that are different from the cover models. These things make you, you.
To quote Beyoncé, in her phenomenal song, Pretty Hurts:
“When you’re alone all by yourself
And you’re lying in your bed Reflection stares right into you Are you happy with yourself? You stripped away the masquerade The illusion has been shed Are you happy with yourself?
Yes.”
I hope your answer matches hers, with every ounce of heart in my soul. You deserve to feel happy within your own skin and your own beauty.