The reality of Social Media
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case I have to agree. This picture is just one in many “transformation” photos yet it was the first of its kind that I saw and it grabbed my attention. Photos of girls and boys, showing how in different lighting, breathing in instead of out, wearing different clothes, before and after a meal can all affect a picture. These photos have been bombarding the internet in the hopes of shedding light on just how controlled social media really is and how misleading it can really be. I know i’m guilty of it. Before I post a photo on instagram I have to first analyze it. Make sure my smile seems genuine and it doesn’t look too posed. I want to look good in it, I want my body to look slim and my outfit to be cute. And then I ask my friends to approve of it, then I edit it. I make the colors brighter and my skin tone darker. It’s exhausting and, frankly, I wish I didn’t do it. People who don’t see me everyday have a contorted view of who I am based on my social media and I am, to put it bluntly, a “nobody” when it comes to social media popularity. I know my page is not being visited regularly or viewed by millions. So imagine how I- how all people must feel- looking at the social media pages of celebrities, looking at magazine covers of beautiful men and women who just always seem to look amazing, who always have the perfect smile, unblemished skin. Well, I can’t speak for everyone but I know that I feel embarrassed and unworthy.
The bravery it takes for people like @selfloveclubb to show that so much of what we see on the internet it smoke and mirrors is so powerful and meaningful. It’s a voice to all those who feel like they can never show anyone their true self on the internet because they are self-consciousness about who their true selves are. The reality is, is that, celebrities look just as normal as anyone other person does when they are not glammed up and edited on photoshop. Those who have come forward and taken selfies without makeup prove that what we see in magazines and online is so deceptive, distorted and misrepresentative. It’s hard to remember, when we see someone who appears flawless, dressed to the nines with impeccable makeup and a figure so proportional and stunning, that we are beautiful too. But we are. Each and every one of us and it would do us good to stop comparing ourselves to what we see online and in magazines because it’s not real or genuine. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be real and genuine in our own lives and on our social media pages. Be the change you want to see in the world and the rest will fall into place.
The original post that inspired me to do this blog is below:
@selfloveclubb
"Same girl, same day, same time. 💛 Not a before and after. Not a weight loss transformation. Not a diet company promotion. 💛 I am comfortable with my body in both. Neither is more or less worthy. Neither makes me more or less of a human being. Neither invites degrading comments and neither invites sleezy words. 💛
"We are so blinded to what a real unposed body looks like and blinded to what beauty is that people would find me less attractive within a 5 second pose switch! How insanely ridiculous is that!? 💛 I love taking these, it helps my mind so much with body dysmorphia and helps me rationalise my negative thoughts. 💛
"Don't compare, just live for you. There is no one on this planet who's like you and that's pretty damn amazing don't ya think. The world doesn't need another copy, it needs you. 💛 We are worthy, valid and powerful beyond measure 💙🌟 (If you don't pull your tights up as high as possible are you really human?)"