I was scrolling down on my Instagram today and (what a surprise!) my news feed was basically filled with stunning models, posing and showing off their perfect life – I mean, have you seen the Hadid sisters?!
Well, I totally understand that models have to project a flawless image to the world, as if they live in a world where cellulite and bad hair days don’t exist! (Thank God for Photoshop!) These girls basically get paid to look perfect: they have their own personal trainer, their personal diet program, their personal stylist and their personal makeup artist. They undergo plastic surgery because their nose could look better, have their tummy pulled and stretched, their skin buffed and scrubbed and their extensions done and undone and we are left idolizing everything about them.
Even though I know that this idea of perfection is not real, I spent a huge amount of time looking at all these “flawless” women on Instagram and it made me feel shitty about myself. I started to notice things I never did before–smile lines, forehead wrinkles and cellulite. I was so far from “perfect” and it literally stressed the hell out of me.
Social media really gets under our skin, affecting our standards of beauty and increases our insecurities to the max! Our society is constantly pointing out who’s the prettiest, the smartest, the most successful, and the best dressed. Given all of this, it’s really no surprise if you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin. It takes a lot of effort in order to embrace yourself for who you are.
“It all comes down to self-worth — feeling that you are truly of value, no matter how you look or act or think or what others think of you. […] Too many of us think ‘If I just looked better, were skinnier, were more successful, then I’d feel comfortable in my own skin,’ but it’s not about that at all. None of those things will help until you learn self-worth.”
You could be the prettiest girl in the country but you still won’t look like a photo-shopped Instagram or fitness model. You have to get past the comparisons, but also by doing things to really get to know yourself. Once you figure out who you really are, you’ll stop worrying about what other people are doing.
Start by taking care of yourself: Sleep well, eat right and drink water – make a list of the things you need to do to take care of yourself and schedule them in your routine! After all, it’s easier to feel good about who you are when you make your needs priorities.
Do things that make you happy: It’s time to learn how to say “no” to things that you don’t like and start saying “yes” to things that you really enjoy – even if this means reading your book in your pajamas on a Saturday night. It’s important to focus on what you like to do and finally stop getting swept along with the flow.
Love your flaws: Everyone has something they don’t like about themselves, but that “flaw” is often what makes them interesting, unique, and beautiful. Limit the amount of time you spend on social media, and try to focus on the things that you love about yourself. Stop comparing yourself to pictures of celebrities because; trust me, not even celebrities look that good in real life!
Feeling good in your own skin means not comparing yourself to others, and feeling confident about your choices in life. It means accepting the way you look despite how much you weigh, or how tall or short you are. It means that you’re confident about your opinions and you feel good for the person you really are.
After all, the real you is pretty amazing!
xoxo,
Andrea
