Let Go of Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Embrace Who You Are

Image: IMCMedical Centre

 "You should put on some makeup," "Cover up your tattoos," "You shouldn't be eating that," the list goes on and on. 

Most women experience the pressures of unrealistic beauty standards which was happening well before Instagram came along and the mainstream media became what it is today. Unrealistic standards set by society puts enormous pressure to attain a so-called perfect body and physical appearance. This often deteriorates any and, in most cases, all self-esteem leading to adopt unhealthy habits in pursuit of these idealized looks. Scrolling endlessly on your day-to-day apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, we are constantly bombarded by the "ideal" woman which fails to represent the diversity and reality of female beauty telling us we have to be slim, have flawless skin, be tall, have straight and shiny hair, in which all of these things are quite actually subjective. 

If we as women choose to conform to these ideas, we are no better than the rest, we might as well have a set and stone definition of beauty in the dictionary along with and instruction manual on how to mirror the standard. In a world full of pressures and unrealistic expectations about what we should look like, it’s time to say “enough” and learn to love ourselves just as we are.

While dealing with these standards has been difficult to navigate, and still can be some days, I know in my heart that my worth is not defined by the way I look. Today, I want to share a few of the shifts I’ve made to let go of unrealistic beauty standards and embrace who I am and I hope that it might help you do the same.

Change the Way You See Yourself

Stop comparing yourself to other women and instead appreciate your own unique qualities. You don’t need to fit into society’s beauty standards to be beautiful. True beauty comes from within and is shown through how we feel about ourselves and how we treat those around us. 

Remember the Reality 

By embracing mindful consumption, practicing intentional gratitude, and aligning with your true purpose, you can live up to your own standards to help alleviate external pressures and opens the door to our greater freedom. Find beauty in your own uniqueness, it’s so easy to divulge in content that’s damaging to our self-esteem and mental health so be conscious consumer everywhere you go, from stores to social media, to let go of what you’re told to look like and embrace who you truly are.  

It’s important to look for role models and references who challenge established beauty standards. An example of a brand that promotes body positivity is Savage x Fenty Beauty, which rejects the universal "one size fits all" in order to create an inclusive environment for women of varying body types.

Surround Yourself with Empowerment 

Beauty goes beyond the superficial; it's about the positive energy we exude and the way we affect those around us. When we surround ourselves with people who appreciate our inner qualities and encourage our journey toward self-acceptance, we foster an environment where true beauty can truly thrive. We are given one body in this lifetime, it's essential to care and nourish ourselves instead of spending every second wishing something was different. Self-love is the highest form of love and it is truly a gift when you stop the comparison and appreciate every attribute that was god given.