Each morning, after my alarm has buzzed a few too many times, I start the day by checking my Instagram feed. While the ritual stays the same: grumpily turn over in bed, sloppily reach for phone, angrily shut off the alarm, check Instagram—I’m left with a renewed impression of sexy each day.
Monday
Images of women dressed in all black, chic and slim, with red lipstick flood my feed. Audrey Hepburn impersonators, if you will. This is sexy, this is something to strive for. Note to self, wear red lipstick today.
Tuesday
As I scroll down my feed, I’m bombarded by images of natural, bohemian women. Adorned with body jewelry, about 743 bangles on each arm, and paisley print. They have wavy, sun-bleached hair and freckles. Note to self, skip the red lipstick, go for an all-natural look, and layer your clothes today.
Wednesday
Images of women with cookies, cakes, breads, and pastries surround me. Yum. Why can’t I eat that for breakfast? If they can be sexy eating that, I can too—right? Note to self, eat chocolate cake today.
Thursday
As I scroll, toned women and get-slim quick overnight oats recipes fill the screen. Cauliflower rice, quinoa salad, black-bean energy bars. Go vegan! Say no to refined carbs and say hello to the latest superfoods! Note to self, hit FitRec and eat more kale today.
Friday
Smart is the new sexy, everyone. Endless images of studious women in knee-high socks and wide-rimmed glasses. Coffee in one hand, T.S. Eliot poems in the other. Note to self, focus in class, take extra-detailed notes, and maybe hit the library today.
Saturday
Girls just wanna’ have fun! Images of stilettos, sparkles, dramatic eyelashes, and tipsy women sprinkle my feed. Hmm, maybe I’ve been taking myself too seriously. I should have more fun. Note to self, party tonight, get drunk, and dance all night.
Sunday
Mountains. Ocean waves. Sunsets. Campfires. Fit, glowing women armed in hiking boots and walking sticks bombard the screen. Walking, climbing, swimming—these women are one with nature. Note to self, sexy and empowered women are outdoorsy women. Maybe join the Outing Club? I don’t know.
Do you see? As women with access to social media, we’re left aspiring to new trends and fleeting impressions of femininity each day—often without realizing. Depending on the day, sexy is wearing all black and plum lipstick. Other days it’s curly hair and flowery skirts. Some days we’re told that sexy women are friends with chocolate, other days sexy is yoga and kale smoothies. So my question is: what is sexy, anyway? Is there even a stable definition?
I challenge you, fellow ladies! If you relate to this article more than you wish, try making a change. Instead of allowing the latest trend to define your aspirations, make your own definitions of sexy. Maybe to you, sexy is studious. Maybe it’s wearing all-black. Maybe it’s flashy jewelry. Maybe it’s a white t-shirt and boyfriend jeans. Maybe it’s eating the cookie, and maybe it’s opting for the apple. Whatever it may be, make sure it’s yours. Sexy is happiness, so discover what makes you happy, and own it!