If you are a woman who feels unphotogenic, you are not alone. In fact, a quick scroll through any social media platform will reveal that most women do not look like the "perfect" images we see online, in magazines, or in ads. Social media may be doing more harm than good. A recent study shows that 22.8% of women are impacted by how they feel about their bodies through social media vs the 1.15% who look at themselves in the mirror. Clearly, there is a problem!
The Reality of Social Media
The ugly truth is that social media is full of unrealistic images and photoshopped pictures. If you compare yourself to these images, you are bound to feel bad about yourself. Unfortunately, many women do just that. They see these "perfect" images and they compare themselves to them, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
The Power of Filters
One of the biggest culprits when it comes to making us feel bad about ourselves is the use of filters. Instagram, in particular, is guilty of this; the app offers users a dizzying array of choices when it comes to altering images. From changing the brightness to increasing the contrast, or giving the illusion of a botox-perfected face, there's virtually no limit to what can be done to an image with a filter. And while filters can be fun to play around with, they can also give users a false sense of what's considered "normal”. When we see filtered images of people who look perfect, it's easy to compare ourselves to them and feel like we come up short.
The Illusion of Perfection
Another problem with social media is that it gives us a skewed view of other people's lives. We tend to see only the best moments—the vacations, the new cars, the birthdays—and we forget that everyone has ordinary moments, too. That picture-perfect couple you follow on Instagram probably has fights and disagreements just like everyone else; they just don't post those pictures online. If you're finding yourself feeling envious of other people's lives, remember that what you see on social media isn't always reflective of reality but a highlight reel of what people want you to see.
The Pressure to be Perfect
One of the most dangerous things about social media is the pressure it puts on us to be perfect. We edit our photos, curate our posts, and only share the best version of ourselves with the world. This creates a false sense of perfection that isn't realistic or attainable. As a result, we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to look and be perfect all the time.
This pressure can manifest itself in a number of ways, including eating disorders, plastic surgery addiction, body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect, it's important to take a step back and remember that social media is not real life.
How to Combat These Feelings
If you find yourself feeling unphotogenic or comparing yourself to others on social media, there are a few things you can do to combat these feelings.
Remember that everyone is different and that there is no such thing as a "perfect" body type or look.
Try to focus on your own qualities and attributes rather than what you perceive as your flaws.
If you see a picture of someone on social media who you think is gorgeous, don't be afraid to tell them! A little compliment can go a long way toward making someone else feel good about themselves—and it just might help you feel good about yourself too.
Here is a great article with even more insight and great tips on how to help you deal!
3 easy tips to help you break the cycle
If you're feeling unphotogenic or like your life doesn't measure up to others, don't worry—you are not alone. Social media can be tricky like that; it often gives us a skewed view of reality. People only post their best pictures and highlight their most perfect moments online, which can make the rest of us feel like we don't measure up. Just remember: social media isn't real life. Everyone has good days and bad days, so cut yourself some slack and try not to compare yourself to others too much. After all, comparison is the thief of joy!
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