Altering the “Real” for the sake of the “REEL”
Have we grown totally rejecting of how we look like? Where is this coming from? Why are we accepting to post photos that are modified by technology to portray a different image? These questions have been on my mind lately, especially after an incident that hit close to home.
Scrolling through my social media feed, I see countless images of friends and acquaintances, many of whom I know quite well. Yet, the photos they post often look nothing like the people I know. It’s as if they’ve become different individuals, molded by the seemingly harmless filters and enhancement apps. What’s more alarming is that this phenomenon isn’t just confined to celebrities or influencers—it’s everywhere.
The tipping point for me was receiving an edited image of myself from a friend. Without asking for my opinion, they had “enhanced” my look simply because I appeared in the picture. The result? A version of myself that was so altered, it felt like looking at a stranger. This experience made me realize just how far we’ve drifted from accepting and celebrating our true selves.
So, why is this happening? One reason could be the relentless pressure from social media and society at large to conform to certain beauty standards. We’re bombarded with images of perfection—flawless skin, perfect bodies, and symmetrical features—creating an unrealistic benchmark for our own appearance. It’s no wonder that many feel the need to edit their photos to fit this mold.
Moreover, the rise of technology has made it incredibly easy to alter our appearance with just a few taps on our smartphones. What used to be the domain of professional photo editors is now accessible to everyone. Filters and editing apps promise a quick fix to our insecurities, allowing us to present an idealized version of ourselves to the world.
But at what cost? This obsession with image can erode our self-esteem and authenticity. We start to measure our worth by the number of likes and comments on our edited photos, rather than our true selves. It creates a vicious cycle—an endless pursuit of validation based on an artificial standard of beauty.
This is not to say that wanting to look our best is inherently wrong. There’s nothing wrong with enhancing a photo for fun or using filters to express creativity. The issue arises when we become so reliant on these tools that we lose sight of our true selves and start to believe that our unedited appearance is somehow inadequate.
So, what can we do to combat this trend and embrace our authentic selves? Here’s what I feel I can commit to:
- Loving Myself: It all starts with accepting and loving myself as I am. I’m going to celebrate my unique features because they’re what make me, me!
- Taking Breaks: I will take regular breaks from social media to help me reconnect with reality. It’s refreshing and can remind me of what truly matters.
- Sharing the Real Me: I will post more spontaneous photos. It’s a powerful way to show self-love and honesty. Plus, it encourages others to do the same and creates a more genuine online environment.
- Talking About It: I will start conversations about the impact of edited images on our self-esteem. It’s especially important for the younger generation to understand this, so they grow up connected to reality and not chasing an unattainable ideal.
Let’s start a conversation about this. Have you experienced similar feelings or situations? How do you navigate the pressure to present an idealized version of yourself online? Share your thoughts and let’s explore how we can move towards a more authentic and accepting view of ourselves and others.
