Being someone that grew up with technology and the numerous trends that we have seen develop and fade throughout time, it is easy to say that social media has had an impact in some if not all of our lives as growning women.
Growing up, I remember always having facial features as well as hair features that were not in tune with what was trendy and cool in society. I used to think my lips were too big and hated using lipstick because it only enhanced the feature of how they looked. I would see models with smaller lips than mine and thought I was flawed because I didn’t look like the models.
I would constantly straighten my hair because I didn’t see any girls in magazines and on YouTube with curly hair like mine. At the time, I saw nothing wrong with it but looking back on it now I think of all the young girls who didn’t grow up understanding that it’s okay to be who you are and accept the features you have.
I look at society now and the young women that are in this world and hope that they love who they are and the features that they have without thinking that they should look like that model they saw walking in New York Fashion Week.
Being a woman means being different. It means being able to feel comfortable in your skin without having to feel pressure from social media and society on how to act or dress.
I believe that the change comes from the youth. In one way or another, we all know young women that unknowingly, could use the push to be who they are. Ask them what they love about themselves as opposed to what they wish they could change. Give them words of encouragement, not the “constructive criticism” that is seen to do more harm than good. Most importantly, remind them as much as possible that being who they are and loving who they are, does not mean they need to change who they are.
A wise woman once said “There are women who struggle to gain weight who are beautiful. There are women who struggle to lose weight who are beautiful. You know who is the most beautiful? Those who learn to love themselves the way they are. You don’t need to change for anyone.” -Teresa Mummer