Scrolling through social media, glancing into the lives of people with blue ticks by their name, while the only marks you are aware of are the ones etched onto your skin.
Ultimately, beauty gurus, Instagram models, and vloggers, each personality becomes a reminder of everything you are not.
There is an ever-growing epidemic of body dysmorphic in today's society, one that breeds anxiety and depression.
Let's shed some light on this progressing issue.
Origins
It's in our nature to always want something better and more. But subsequently, when we finally achieve that goal, it suddenly becomes stale to us. And the same goes for how we look at ourselves too.
When we look at our bodies, we realize just how far off we are from the fabulous supermodels on our news feeds; this triggers the domino effect toward self-sabotage.
Body image distress is a prevalent symptom of an eating disorder that only scratches the surface of the myriad issues of comparing yourself to others.
Truth be told, it's not their fault, nor is it yours. But who is to blame?
Society
Society, or now, social media, has been fueling this cycle of body dysmorphic disorder. As humans, we all wish for validation. We crave that surge of dopamine that stems from a compliment.
Social media gives us a platform to receive that instant gratification with a simple click of a selfie and a bunch of filters. People showcase only the perfect parts of their lives for views.
Self-expression is liberating, but that isn't the issue here. It's when self-expression instigates a trend of pushing unrealistic standards on people who think they are not good enough.
Moreover, major companies cash in on this bandwagon, showcasing standardized models that could have very easily been inclusive.
Cyberbullying
A Pew Research survey conducted in 2018 discovered that 59% of U.S. teenagers were cyberbullied. And most of those teenagers were victims of fat shaming and other derogatory comments that made them spiral into a pit of self-sabotage.
People hide behind computer screens typing away heinous comments just to spread hate for no good reason, shunning bright and capable individuals from truly expressing themselves and putting themselves out there.
The sheer fear of being bullied is also one of the major factors that cause body dysmorphic disorder.
Break Free
In a world where body dysmorphic is prevailing, what does one do? What if you were told that the solution was glaring right back at you all this time?
That's right. Don't look away from the mirror.
You.
You, right there, are beautiful.
You are worth it.
And you are God's masterpiece.
The world will keep spinning, but the choice is yours to make the most of your time here on Earth.
Here are some ways to avoid societal pressures that manifest body dysmorphic disorder.
Switch Your Phone Off
Limit your use of social media. You must understand that whatever you see on any social media platform is not a realistic depiction of life in all facets, whether body standards, relationships, or lifestyles. Once you take social media out of the equation, you come to realize just how beautiful life is.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Remove people from your life who don't make you feel anything less than amazing about yourself. Keep those who love you close and grow spiritually and mentally in a wholesome environment.
Spend Time With Yourself
Self-love is an effort. You can't simply fall in love with someone without knowing them. Similarly, you cannot love yourself if you don't know your strengths and weaknesses. Prioritize your interests and indulge in doing things you really want to do.
Meditate
With all the voices trying to bring you down, you need to stop and calm your nerves. Take a deep breath and relax. Meditation is an excellent way to harness your intrusive thoughts and learn how to control them.
Pray
If you seek human validation, it will be challenging for you to find true happiness. Why is that? Human preferences are constantly changing. But what shall always remain constant is God's unconditional love for you. Take time out to pray and strengthen your relationship with your Creator.
And while you're at it, if you still need words of encouragement, author Nadia "Cher" Major quotes:
"I need you to get this good… your beauty is one of a kind… a rare gem that's hard to find… so stop getting lost in the pile."
For more encouraging words, check out her enlightening read, My Big-GOD's Masterpiece, now available on Amazon!
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