Breaking "Beauty"

Long luscious hair. Big blue eyes. Cute little button-nose. 

These are a couple attributes we've been instructed as to what ultimate beauty is. I remember playing with my barbies and wanting their long blonde hair and blue eyes. Seeing Cinderella or Aurora on screen made me want their features and genetics. 

I come from a Middle Eastern family. We’re not particularly known for our light-colored hair, blue eyes or small noses. I actually have a curvy/bumpy nose. It never used to bother me, but when I got to high school, people would make comments and ask me if I would be getting a nose job. Some would even tell me about recommendations for plastic surgeons….unprovoked might I add. Because of those comments, I began to really dislike the shape of my nose. I started to compare it to people I saw online and noticed how straight and small their noses looked. Then the pandemic happened my senior year. I deleted all forms of social media, and took time to take care of myself and my mental health. Oddly enough, as terrible as that time of pandemic was, I grew a major appreciation for my body in carrying me and helping me survive a surreal period in time. The irritation I had for my nose dissipated, and I came to appreciate the feature on my face, which has been passed down from generation to generation. 

But, that’s far from the truth. These unrealistic beauty standards are so damaging to ourselves and to the people around us, and now it’s more important than ever to overcome these “guidelines.” Now, to understand the root of these societal beauty standards, let’s take a look at the coined phrase ‘The Beauty Myth.’ So, what is the beauty myth you ask? It’s an obsession with one’s physical perfection that the individual begins to entrap themself in an endless cycle of self-consciousness and self-hatred as they try to meet society’s vastly impossible definition of flawless beauty. 

Okay, but how do we not let ourselves fall into that vicious cycle that seems unending? 

Here are a couple steps that we can take to break the cycle:

1. Recognize the influence of media and society: Understand that beauty standards are often artificially constructed and heavily influenced by media, advertising, and societal pressures. Recognizing this will allow you to question and challenge those standards.

2. Develop a positive body image: Focus on self-acceptance and appreciate your body for its unique qualities. Shift your focus from perceived flaws to the things you like and appreciate about yourself. Practice self-care and engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself.

3. Engage in critical thinking: Question and challenge societal norms and beauty standards. Develop a critical mindset to analyze and evaluate the messages you receive from the media and society. Consider the motives behind beauty standards and the impact they have on individuals and society as a whole.

4. Advocate for change: Get involved in promoting body positivity and diversity. Support initiatives that challenge unrealistic beauty standards and promote inclusivity. By speaking up and taking action, you can contribute to a more accepting and inclusive culture.

Remember, overcoming unrealistic beauty standards is a personal and ongoing journey. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.