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Selfie-Worth

Social Media's Influence on My Self-Worth/Image

By Brittani RiderPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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The most beautiful flower is you. 

"You're ugly. You'll never be good enough."

Did reading that make you flinch?

If not, that's good to hear, but if so, it's okay as well. I'm sure we all can relate on not always feeling or looking our best.

Let's take a moment and acknowledge the fact that in this day and age, social media runs the world. March 14, 2019—Facebook and Instagram crashed and almost every one lost their minds. I saw it firsthand and it was unbelievable.

This made me realize how much most of our lives revolve around social media. We spend almost half the day posting, sharing, tweeting, and Snapchatting. So there's no surprise that you'll come across a picture of a "beautiful" woman or man with thousands of likes and comments. This being said, I'm sure you've probably seen someone and thought, man I wish I didn't have (insert insecurity) and could look as good as... or I want (insert thing) to enhance my look.

I suffer from depression, and with that comes with the occasional low self-esteem. So often times I find myself comparing my looks and body to those of others as well.

Everywhere I look there's makeup ads and tutorials, dieting advertisements, filters, and so much more.

I found myself questioning my worth, my appearance, what did they have that I didn't. I began to research weight lost plans, buying makeup I'll only use once, trying weight loss pills, and even wishing on a star and praying that I would randomly win a million dollars just to afford plastic surgery. All in hopes that one day I'll finally be "beautiful."

I obsessed over trying to be "perfect" until one day I stood in the mirror and broke down in tears, pointing out my "ugly parts." I asked myself...

Why am I doing this?

Why do I feel less than an Instagram photo?

Am I not beautiful?

After realizing how low I felt, and how much I was tearing myself apart, thats' when I decided to deactivate all of my social media accounts.

Doing so, I started to realize that every time I got online I was unconsciously comparing myself to others, and slowly crumbling under pressure trying to paint myself to fit what society defines as "beautiful."

After that day, I dedicated a day to covering my bedroom walls with index cards—on them were reasons why I loved who I am. Writing powerful uplifting messages, quotes, and compliments.

After reading what I wrote aloud everyday, it started to help in the biggest way. I became more accepting of my "flaws" and worked on better accepting myself and started canceling any negative thoughts/things that I was allowing to impact my self-love/appreciation. Also, having loved ones and people in your corner who listen to, support, and motivate you is also a big help.

There's a saying that you "have to love yourself in order to be loved." But I completely disagree. Hearing that throughout my life has always made me feel extremely low because, well, some days I wasn't proud of who I was, and I wasn't as confident or appealing.

I'd constantly think because I didn't love myself fully did that mean I didn't deserve to be loved?

Although with time, and thanks to a lot of supportive people I realized—no, that didn't mean what I thought it meant, and yes, I did deserve love and I do deserve to be happy.

I haven't gotten there completely, everyday I'm still working on loving myself and being the best version of me that I can be. It starts with accepting who you are, your flaws, and realizing that there's only one you in the entire universe.

One small action can make a huge impact. Every morning, encourage yourself, shower yourself in compliments. Look yourself in the mirror, smile, and tell yourself you ARE amazing.

Remember lovelies you were created to be just the way you are, love YOU.

beauty
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About the Creator

Brittani Rider

My name is Brittani and I'm a aspiring photographer, YouTuber, and journalist. I plan to write more so I hope you guys are as excited as I am! Follow me on my social media

Youtube: xStarNovax

Instagram: star_novaa

Facebook: Brittani A Rider

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