What exactly is beauty? Well, People might answer that as: “True beauty lies in being original and honest in a way that there is enough love for you and everyone else.” We are told that beauty has nothing to do with skin color, the way we dress, the place we belong, nationality, caste, creed, social group, religion, and all the other things stacked up on the ladder. However, does society really live up to that definition? The beauty norms and societal validations are all growing and its heartless arms are reaching out to everyone.
Beauty is subjective:
Beauty like all other emotions is subjective. Looking Subjectively is based on personal beliefs, ideas, points of view, sentiments, and analysis. What may look pretty to one person, may look plain/ ugly to another, which is totally acceptable. Then why people tend to fall into the trap of ideal beauty?
Source: nastya_gepp from Pixabay
Ideal Women according to society:
“Hourglass, X shape, triangles opposing or facing inwards, rosy full lips, strongly shaped eyebrows, defined contoured cheekbones, poreless fair skin, and shiny hair. If you have got curly hairs, better straighten them. If you got wavy, curl them, girl! Curls look damn bold. Oh, by the way, the nose has an entire makeover industry running based on it.”. Beauty norms for women are not only difficult to achieve, they seem impossible. Cosmetic surgery has become a go-to for all those suffering from body image issues. Even young teenagers are undergoing facelifts to prevent sagging, loose, drooping, or wrinkled skin on the face.
Source: Free-Photos from Pixabay
Ideal Man according to the society:
The society asks nothing but, “An athletic body with good posture, broad shoulders, narrow hips, strong muscular figure, neat sleek haircuts, nicely cowboy-Esque square face, gentlemanly mustaches, a corporate or rounded beard, suntans, and a perfectly powering voice.” Poor body image is not just a female issue. Many men are also dissatisfied with their body image. They tend to be quieter about their body negativity. While being fit and active has physical benefits, unrealistic appearances can make many men have body image issues, too.
Why do we need societal validation?
However, we all have an inherent need to be loved, so we need endless acceptance in general. As human beings, we are unsatisfied when it comes to approval, admiration, and desire. Peer pressure, or a bad relationship, or just not enough attention from parents are all signs of the demand for societal validation. Sadly, It’s also the cause for heartbreaks, disappointments, depression, and in some cases, suicide. Read an article about body dysmorphia.
Source: athree23 from Pixabay
Social media and beauty norms
We all look better on social media, but they make us feel worse. Sure, social media is a tool for viewing different places, learning new things, listening to experiences, sharing stories, and making good friends. But, it is designed to throw us in a constant cycle of comparison and self-doubt. Unrealistic images, beauty, success, and fame promoted through social media posts are the reasons for the development of consuming disorders and body dissatisfaction
Major social media applications feed us with a never-ending scroll of highly-edited and carefully-assembled faces and bodies. This does not do our mental health much good. To sum up social media will love anything but the real you. This applies to everyone. Every single person on the earth.
Where are we heading with these beauty norms?
Nobody would really be able to love us if we do not know how to love ourselves. So, being too large, too slim, too short, too tall, too fair, or too dark is not a problem. It’s fine to have a protruding stomach or curly hair. If you let it, the pimple will never affect your charming expression. Get to accept the flaws, and life will feel so much brighter and healthier!
How do you carry your own inner beauty?
There are several ways you can help yourself feel beautiful without having to undergo plastic surgeries or becoming someone you do not want to be. Rather, take some time out of your day to reflect. Closing your eyes, exhaling from your nose, and clearing your mind takes just a few seconds to a few minutes. The clarity in thought is beauty. Kindness is beauty. Humble yet high thoughts are beauty. Simple living is beauty. Being yourself is beauty. Just be you. You do you.
Source: Free-Photos from Pixabay
Conclusion:
As the saying goes, “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”. However, beauty seems to be a sensation rather than a look, implying that you can only be as pretty as you feel. That’s because beauty is an inward emotion that spreads outward because the more beauty you internalize, the more attractive you’ll feel about your body. It’s time we learn what is beauty. Throw off the beauty Norms and Societal Validations. Remember, we are society and society stands because we provide it a platform to stand. Beauty would not want us to come to the table without preconceived notions. It actually invites us to visit, assuming that anyone who attends has a valid reason to be there.
