“Put on some make up, put your best clothes on and just post that picture, forgetting that this would actually be perfect if you feel your best self”
Five minute of cricket sounds was audible when a 20 year old was asked, “When do you feel pretty?”.
This pause speaks a thousand words about how a dozen young adults have not witnessed the feeling of being pretty and beautiful in a very long time. Somewhere between clothes sizes and makeup palettes, the definition of what it means to be beautiful and pretty seems to have been overtaken by physical and materialistic standards.
Social media and video games have had a negative impact on how people view themselves giving people unrealistic beauty and body standards to match. Social media has also given people a platform to be themselves, although terms and conditions apply. This in turn, has affected the self-esteem of individuals with regards to body image, body modification and how they view themselves in society. About 10-15 young adults were interviewed and were asked the same question. “I don’t know, let me think about it. I don’t even know when I last felt pretty? This is a confusing question.”
It was found that these people try to imitate their ideal media personality due to the social, psychological and practical rewards associated with this ideal and the belief that their life would change for the better. Today, one’s social media page, acts as their personal identity; it defines who you are and as humans everyone wants to display their best self. People constantly judge you on the basis of that. Everyone’s just stuck in that cycle.
“Maybe I would feel pretty in a suit. I have never worn one, but I think I would.” -A 19 year old who is alien to the feeling of being pretty.
Beauty starts from the inside and works its way out, meaning the more beauty you internalize, the more you beautiful you’ll feel in your skin, your clothes, and the more confidence will radiate from a simple flash of your smile.
“I feel my best in a saree. I think I feel my most confident in one too. That is what being pretty is for me.”
Often, what we truly perceive as beautiful is not what is traditionally externally pleasing to the eye. We recognize other people like our friends, family, even strangers in our lives as beautiful when being around them makes us feel good. We see them beneath their surface and that should hold true for us too.
“I remember my therapist telling me, you are pretty, you are beautiful for an hour straight. It does not matter what you post or how much you post she said. I remember her trying to convince me of that because I am constantly stuck in the dilemma of whether I want to be my original self or cater to the beauty standards of social media.
“I find a picture of myself pretty and I really want to post it. Instead of posting this image, I sit and wonder if the Gram finds it pretty.”
-A 20 year old who says that social media overwhelms her.