Written by: Nancy Koo
Artwork by: Uee Jung
Renee Bennett, who manages the website for the cosmetics firm Lily LeClaire is a young woman who struggles with low self-esteem and insecurities over her appearance. When a vacancy for a receptionist comes up at HQ, she decides not to apply after reading the job description's emphasis on being the beautiful "face" of LeClaire. One night, inspired by the movie Big, Renee wishes at a fountain to be beautiful, but nothing happens, she remains the same. The next day, during her normal biking class, Renee falls off her SoulCycle bicycle during an exercise, and hits her head, losing consciousness. When she wakes up, nothing has changed but Renee feels as if she is the most beautiful woman in the world. How did she change from being a woman comparing herself to other women on social media to a confident woman that loves herself?
Although what Renee goes through in the movie “I Feel Pretty” seems very unrealistic, it is a pretty accurate representation of the society we are currently living in. Renee loses the motivation to apply for a job because she compares herself to women on social media and thinks she is not worthy of applying for that job. For example, for the past few years, there has been numerous trends on Tiktok where one compares themselves and their facial features with that of a celebrity or model on Instagram. Other than that, social media apps, such as Tiktok, Instagram, and Snapchat, all have filters with green or blue eyes, blond hair, a button nose, and plumped, red lips, which is the typical stereotype and standard for “beauty”. Does these filters apply to everyone and is it representative of each and everyone of us? Even the influencers that constantly state that not everything in social media is true and that self confidence is key go on harsh, life-threatening diets and undergo dangerous procedures to lock themselves in the stereotype society created. While there is nothing wrong with trying to improve yourself and make yourself a better version, the results of trying to fit in perfectly with the stereotypes can be incredibly dangerous when it becomes a need and not a curiosity.
Addiction or not
Starting off each day by scrolling through the new feeds, skipping through all the numerous stories, and reading the latest trends and news, you are willingly exposing yourself to something that doesn’t represent the world you are living in. Maybe you just tell yourself that you need to follow up with the latest beauty trends, but there is much more behind the constant need to feel a sense of belonging with the people on your Instagram feed. According to a new study by Harvard University, self-disclosure on social networking sites lights up the same part of the brain that also ignites when taking an addictive substance.Other than altering the way you view yourself and changing your behavior and lifestyle, social media and the obsession with it also alters how your brain reacts to certain signals, making social media a sort of addiction.
The more you compare yourself to the people you see online and spend more time on social media, the more your brain needs and craves that time. Even though it may seem difficult to cut off social media completely or take some time off of it, it is crucial to find a way to draw a clear line between what you see on social media and the reality. The increasing need to follow everything the influencer on social media does and change yourself to fit it can develop into serious disorders such as eating disorders, lower self esteem, depression, isolation, and much more, and you should find a healthy coping mechanism to differentiate between reality and what is on the screen of your phone.
It isn’t an accurate representation of reality
As you know yourself, you wouldn’t post your so-called “ugly” pictures on the main feed of your Instagram feed or on your Snapchat story and you have to realize it is the same for everyone else. When scrolling down the feed of your Instagram page and trying to find all the flaws in yourself by comparing yourself to the pretty, perfect model, ask yourself: doesn’t everyone love me right now? Why do my family and friends love me? Would they love me differently if I was a bit more skinnier, had clearer skin, and found the perfect way to draw plump lips? By reflecting on yourself and the relationships you have with the people you love, you will be able to realize that there is no need to change yourself so you look exactly like the influencer that posted a story on her Snapchat story in the morning today.
Social media is what its name suggests; it is a means of communication and expanding your social network. However, other than its original purpose, it is like a dangerous, addictive drug that you can’t quit once you’re hooked on it. Finding a way to not meddle between the two worlds and to keep an uncrossable line is necessary. Even if starting your day off by checking every social you have became a habit you can’t change or fix, taking some time to reflect on how it is affecting you and both your mental and physical health is crucial before it changes you into a person you can’t recognize anymore.
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