Hey all! Today is the last day of formal classes in my undergraduate career! Say what?!?! Before I start rambling about that though, let's get to the post.
I know so many amazing people with much potential who end up digging their own hole, so to speak, because of comparing themselves to society. We all have days where we don't feel we look good, we don't feel we are doing anything in life or whatever else it may be. That is normal. That is human. But, feeling those ways because you are busy equating yourself to the things around you is not healthy. You then are causing your own damage.
Growing up I was always comparing myself to others. And every time I got done doing so I would end up back to the same result; I can/will never be that! My confidence was basically non-existent because of it. I like to think I did a good job of hiding it however, I was self-conscious. Why? For what?
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I thought that what I was seeing was real life and well, if that was real life then I truly was missing a lot. Yet, what I really was missing was common sense. 99% of the time I was seeing people at their best. I was looking to the TV where people are styled in their every move. All the while comparing it to my worst. Forgetting; no one is perfect, no one is flawless.
I was a sophomore in college before the common sense truly set in. It was while I was in a marketing class. I was instructed to watch a video called "Killing Us Softly." I was speechless after watching this video. It does an incredible job of explaining that what we see is not accurate. Even though by this point in life I was a little better about it, after watching I instantly pledged to myself to stop comparing who I was to the society around.
One of my biggest takeaways from the video was; by idolizing magazines and or advertisements we are choosing to set ourselves up for failure. Most of what we see is either computer generated or photoshopped in some way. No amount of make-up or wrinkle cream can work that kind of magic.
But, they shouldn't have to.
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We are all special in our own way. If we were supposed to look like one another then we already would. So, we need to stop comparing ourselves to others and start accepting who we are. I can promise you if you start accepting who you are, you will personally be so much happier. And your personal happiness will make you the most beautiful you could ever be.
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Questions of the Day
1) Have you struggled with comparison?
2) What are your thoughts/opinions on this all?
3) Do you know of videos similar to "Killing Us Softly?"
❤ Nichole ❤
Thanks for sharing that video, girl. I'd never seen it before, but I think it's SUCH an important message to get out. I used to struggle with comparison a lot when I was younger, and it wasn't until I got older, figured out who I was, and realized there were so many more important things out there than how I looked that I became more comfortable in my skin. I wish I could go back and share the wisdom with my younger self, but I also have a feeling that I wouldn't have listened... that it was just something I needed to figure out on my own.
ReplyDeleteAfter I saw this video I went and looked up the others on my own because I love the message so much, its part of a series. There are times I have also had the same thought. The "why did it take me until my sophomore year in college to realize it, why couldn't I know it before." I then have come to the same conclusion you did. In those times its what we feel we need and like you said we have to figure it out in our time.
DeleteI think we are all almost taught growing up to compare ourselves so that will will buy product A or product B to fix ourselves. It is so sad and disgusting really. Society has caused us to thrive on perfection. It is just so refreshing to see different ads like dove and aerie trying to change that mentality !
ReplyDeleteI was so happy when I heard about the aerie campaign. I mean yes they will still be selective in their models I'm sure, but they are not using photoshop so they are not preaching a false sense of flawlessness. Amazing!!!! My brother actually is the one who told me about it a while ago when we were walking through the mall!
DeleteWe all go through that stage. I have been there done it. There are some days which are worse than others but we have to slap ourselves to remind us that everybody is different and unique. Comparing is never going to help neither has it done any good infact it makes things 10000 times worse.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. All comparing does is make us feel bad about ourselves for no reason at all. There is enough that goes on in society with bullying and so forth that we don't need to be our own bullies too.
DeleteThis is such a great post! The quote in that someecard you posted is one of my all time favorites-- it's SO true! I'll have to come back and watch that video later-- definitely sounds insightful!
ReplyDeleteThank you girl! I had never seen that specific e-card until I was looking for this post, but as soon as I saw it I loved it. So perfect and like you said so so true. It really does a great job of putting it into perspective in a simple word! Definitely suggest watching it if you get a chance - it is so impactful no matter if you are struggling with comparison or not.
DeleteThis post was SO thought provoking! I love these kinds of posts, where you can think out loud and have a conversation with your readers. I am so glad you shared that video with us, it's truly shocking and the image underneath of the sketched person is awful! I struggle daily with my appearance and I do think the only reason why I have never fallen victim to the horrors of proper EDs is because I KNOW it's unattainable, unrealistic and ultimately undersirable. It's awful, though, to be growing up in a world where if you're not perfect, you're thought to be inadequate.
ReplyDeleteWe are all beautiful, and the reason for this is because of our individuality and our little parts of us which make us unique. Nobody is flawed - we're just different!
Loved this post and can't wait to read more :)
Jo xx
She Wears Burgundy
Thank you so much for you kind words and support!! I am so happy to hear that you have never struggled with an ED. It is hard to overcome in the world that is around us. It can start with us though. Those that have a hard time with our own image here and there but are able to rise above. <3
Deletethanks for sharing that video Nichole! :) great post in general actually! I've actually got to a point of where I'm not comparing myself to anyone, anyone at all...not even what I used to look like because over time we all change a little...bit by bit :) I really wish more people would start to realise <3 xxxx
ReplyDeleteHow awesome and wonderful is that! I definietly agree!
DeleteThat video is amazingly ispiring. Although I already new a lot about what gets photoshoped and so on, it still blew my mind. When I was a little girl (says the 18-year-old) I started to compare myself to others, I always wanted to have what they had. But over time my confidence has become stronger, I have become more like myself trhough doing the thing that I love and getting a positive response to that. I think that I am not comparing myself to anyone too much at the moment, but alittle bit of inspiration and motivation because of what other people have achieved can never be bad, can it?
ReplyDeletexx Lisa
followinglisa.blogspot.de
Thank you for your lovely and thought-out response<3 No, it definitely isn't all bad. It just takes a lot to learn where and when to draw the line. I know I didn't realize it at first when I was younger but as I got older, like you, I did begin to. I certainly think its something that develops over time.
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