With social media being the way
it is these days, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the idea of ‘perfection’.
It can be all consuming! And I will always be the first one to put my hand up
and say I can become completely sucked into the fictitious world portrayed
through instagram. It can be such a toxic place when looked at through rose
tinted glasses. But it’s so important to understand that images are literally a
snap shot of a moment in someone’s life and could never fully represent a person’s
existence entirely. It’s a second. Most likely heavily edited and orchestrated
in a way to enhance perception. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t use it as a
source of inspiration or creativity. I love social media! It has the power to enable
anyone to build an incredible platform for themselves, allowing them to express
their own creativity. But like everything, it needs to be taken with a pinch of
salt!
I guess what I’m trying to say,
is that it’s important to be able to understand the difference between what’s
real and what’s not. This for me has had such a massive impact on how I look at
myself and how I feel in my own skin. It’s no secret that the popularity of
social media icons which portray these idealistic lifestyles and body images
has massively impacted the way us ‘normal’ men and women perceive our bodies.
It is almost impossible not to compare yourself to these people. But through my
own willing mindfulness, I have started to look at the world of social media
differently.
Now, every post or image I see
that has been generated from either a brand or public figure, I automatically assume
is created for indirect advertising. Most posts you see are compiled in a way
to sell something! This could be; makeup, clothing, skin care products.
Literally, anything! These posts are usually so heavily altered that they can
often be incomparable to the original image. We frequently accept that what we
see in TV adverts or in magazines is completely unobtainable because we know
how processed the images are. But the casualness of social media seems to make
us forget that what we are looking at most of the time isn’t real life. Next
time you see a post from your favourite celebrity or makeup brand, think to
yourself, am I being sold too? Allowing myself to look at social media this way
has massively helped me to change how I perceive myself.
So, how do we move forward from
this realisation? How can this make us think more positively about ourselves?
It’s all in our perspective. How can you possibly compare yourself to something
which isn’t even real?! Its nuts!
One of the biggest personal
changes I have made is only following those which reject the idea of heavily
edited images and promote a positive body image. I love those influencers and
brands which allow imperfections in their images to remain and don’t give in to
the insane beauty standards set by much larger companies. Enhancing an image is
one thing, but completely changing the way someone looks is totally different!
I’m going to list some of my favourite bloggers and influencers below, so you
can go over and have a little look! These for me are a selection of really
inspiring women that truly represent what it means to be comfortable in your
own skin!
Iskra Lawrence - https://www.instagram.com/iskra/?hl=en
Lisa Eldridge - https://www.instagram.com/lisaeldridgemakeup/?hl=en
Elanna McGowan - https://www.instagram.com/ellepearls/?hl=en
Louise Pentland - https://www.instagram.com/louisepentland/?hl=en
Niomi Smart - https://www.instagram.com/niomismart/?hl=en
Stacey Solomon - https://www.instagram.com/staceysolomon/?hl=en
Sam Chapman - https://www.instagram.com/pixiwoos/?hl=en
Nicola Haste Chapman - https://www.instagram.com/pixiwoo/
Ashley Graham - https://www.instagram.com/theashleygraham/?hl=en
Lisa Eldridge - https://www.instagram.com/lisaeldridgemakeup/?hl=en
Elanna McGowan - https://www.instagram.com/ellepearls/?hl=en
Louise Pentland - https://www.instagram.com/louisepentland/?hl=en
Niomi Smart - https://www.instagram.com/niomismart/?hl=en
Stacey Solomon - https://www.instagram.com/staceysolomon/?hl=en
Sam Chapman - https://www.instagram.com/pixiwoos/?hl=en
Nicola Haste Chapman - https://www.instagram.com/pixiwoo/
Ashley Graham - https://www.instagram.com/theashleygraham/?hl=en
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