Friday 24 October 2014

Why compare ourselves?

Just like the next person, I have body image issues. In today's world, society has plastered the minds of young people like me about what we should look like, and what the ideal body image is. It has made the body a marketing scheme without thinking of the repercussions of it all. But what's even sadder is that, even after realizing the consequences body-shaming has, society (and media) continues to do it. It has became a norm for people to hate their body image and hide their flaws...

It's like human beings don't matter any more. Human beings are just another commodity in this money making world. What can I sell to them now? What can they buy into now? What can they sell to us? How can we make money off of these measly things? It's as if the ones running these things are aliens who are using us as puppets. We are guided in life by the puppeteer who points us in the next new fad, whether it be a diet or make-up. Why is it that we, as human beings, cannot accept the world as it is? Why must we have to change it all the time?

People who are thin think they are too thin.People who are fat think they are too fat. People who are medium-sized, think they are either too thin or two fat. So what exactly is the "right size" to be? What IS the ideal body type? Because from what I know, no ONE person has the same body shape or type. You may have similar body types, but they are not the same. So where did this notion for an "ideal" body image come from?

The answer, I think, is media. Media made it possible for people to compare each other and idealize people who were put in the spotlight. People see these "idols" as perfect because they assume that, because this person looks that particular way, she and/or he became famous. Because she has short blonde hair, blue eyes, nice boobs, and a nice arse, she became successful in life. The fact of the matter is, those who are in the spotlight are seen as highly successful people because they are "living the life." 

If there were no such thing as celebrities, do you think there would be such a high rate of low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence? I think there would be a much lower rate because people would not really have anything to compare too, other than the people they saw around them. But if it was not such a big thing to begin with, no one would be doing it. The media puts such pressure on the celebrities, and influences the minds of others, hence the concept of an ideal body image. If there was no media, you eliminate the influencer. You eliminate the problem.

Although more and more people are trying to break the idea of an "ideal body image", it's still hard to walk around with your head held high in pride. People still judge you no matter what. And I guess I can't expect things to change over night, because this world doesn't work that way. People don't work that way. We are programmed to put people down in order for us to feel happy and feel like we matter.

What we have to remember is, "Don't care what people think of you." Although this is extremely hard to do, you have to take it with a pinch of salt. People are cruel, we know that. People are judgemental, we know that too. We just have to keep our heads up and realize that for every one cruel person, there is at least one awesome person. That person doesn't see you for size or race or height, he/she sees you for you. For your personality. Your quirks. Your talents. Whether this person is your mother, your father, your friend, your teacher, your co-worker. You have to think of and store all the good things in life, and let go of the bad ones. 

Realize that everyone is different. No one is the same... actually, let me rephrase that. Everyone is the same on the inside, but different on the outside. We are all made of bones. We are all created by the same process. However, although we may have similar birth stories, and identical internal parts, our outsides are unique... Quirky... Different. You know how people say, "It's what's on the inside that counts"? Yeah well, that's wrong. It's what's outside that counts. Our appearance tells us apart from each other. Why would we want to / have to change it just so we can all look the same? So that we can all have the same "ideal body image'? Can you imagine a world like that? That's one BORING world, let me tell you. 

Over the past few weeks, I came across some posts that actually initiated this whole blog post. This issue has always been at the back of my mind because I struggle with it on a daily basis, but these articles made me take a step back and re-evaluate how I view myself and how I view the world. I realized that I need to change my outlook on this issue and realize that there's no way that I can fit this ideal image and THAT'S OKAY! 

Love yourself. Be who you are, not what other people what you to be. 

"They tell us from the time we're young to hide the things that we don't like about ourselves.
I know I'm not the only one who spent so long attempting to be someone else.
Well I'm over it!"

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