Every once in a while I’ll think of a blog post that I just HAVE to write. I started my blog as a creative outlet because I work in an office full time where I can’t really show off my creativity. Unless it’s in my cubicle of course. Anyway, as I started blogging more and more I realized that I actually enjoy writing. I mean I don’t really know if a lot of people enjoy reading my content as much as I enjoy writing it, but at least I have an outlet to write my thoughts whether it be a rant, or something that truly touches my heart. With all of that being said, I have something I want to talk about today, especially because we are in the month of love!
Now, just to put out a full disclaimer this post is not meant to offend or upset anyone, please read it in it’s entirety because it goes into both sides of the argument.
I know that a few months ago I wrote a post titled “Dear Women Everywhere” and it was basically telling all women that they are enough. I guess today’s post is in addition to that one, but I’m opening up a little about myself. I’ve been scrolling a lot through Instagram (ugh I’m seriously so sick of Instagram for many reasons but need to use it as a blogger) lately because I’m trying to get better at growing my following. Whenever I look at these pictures of huge accounts they always look so perfect, they have the perfect hair, the perfect makeup, their teeth are straight and bright white, etc. Then I look at other popular accounts and they all have amazing eyebrows, eyelash extensions, lip injections, boob implants, a tiny waist, a big booty, and well I guess they basically look like a Kardashian. When I see these pictures I start thinking, wow, and I thought I had it bad as a kid looking at these magazines and seeing perfect celebrities but now younger girls have celebrities AND these instafamous girls where they compare themselves to. To be completely honest in my opinion I feel like the isnta girls are worse because they look like “normal people” instead of a celebrity, who’s way up there in the ranks of popularity. When did it become trendy to completely change your face by the age of 16? Maybe it’s because I just don’t understand the trend of plastic surgery in general (unless of course it’s medically needed or if you are for example a breast cancer survivor and had to have your breasts removed, that’s completely different)? I mean don’t get me wrong some of these girls are super pretty, but do we really all need ginormous protruding lips like Kylie? Some lip injections actually look pretty good, but others look like the girl bought a syringe and did it at home herself.
Listen, we are allowed to have flaws. We are allowed to look different. We are allowed to get plastic surgery if that’s really want we want. Growing up I wanted to look like everyone else so that I could fit in. But, then I heard the quote “why fit in when you were born to stand out” and it just clicked. Why do I want to be like everyone else? How do I benefit from that? So that I can fit society standards? I have flaws. My hair is super thin (and was actually falling out at one point), I have my own lips that aren’t big, my own nose that is too big, my own eyelashes that aren’t very long, when I smile I look like a horse because you can see my gums and my top lip basically disappears, my teeth are yellowish, my bottom teeth are completely busted (although I will admit, once I have money I want to get them fixed), I have normal boobs that will migrate south when I get older, I don’t have the perfect body even though I try to be healthy, I have cellulite and stretch marks, and you know what? I’m happy that I decided to be myself and not fit into society’s norm. Have I changed my hair color and hair cut? Yes, absolutely. It’s not because I want to fit into a specific mold it’s just nice to sometimes see what I look like with different hair or with different style. Have I had braces? Yes, but in my defense I was made fun of really bad for my teeth when I was younger.
I’ve also noticed that in the blogging world since it’s become such a saturated market, so many bloggers look the same. I guess they saw a few bloggers who made it big so they just copied them and also got big. A lot of them take similar pictures or edit them the same. It gets to the point where I can’t tell certain ones apart. Do they have aesthetically pleasing Instagrams? Oh yea, absolutely! However, the content is the same (especially when big brands reach out to these bloggers too). I may not have a large following like some of the bloggers I’m referencing but at least at the end of the day I know that I stayed true to myself and my flaws. I didn’t change just so that I can have more followers. You either like me or you don’t. I also have no idea how to have an aesthetically pleasing Instagram that just flows so I just gave up haha!
Now, I’m also not saying that people who get plastic surgery are horrible people. If they want to alter their face and body, that’s their own prerogative. I actually know a few girls who have had things done and look normal. That’s another thing, is knowing when enough is enough. Some of these girls with lip injections look pretty normal and they have natural looking Angelina Jolie lips (swooooon), but other girls look like they went to the butcher and it just doesn’t look cute. If you’re going to get surgery PLEASE research the surgeon and PLEASE don’t go the cheap way just to save money. Anyway, back to my point. I’m not saying all people who get plastic surgery aren’t themselves, all I’m saying is it’s ok to embrace the body and face you were born with. I grew up looking at the magazines, having self esteem issues and eating issues so I know what it’s like to grow up and feel the need to look perfect. I’ve come to love myself and I don’t want to get rid of this big nose that I got from my dad’s side, or these lips that I got from my grandma.
I want to inspire at least one person out there. I want at least one person to be able to believe in themselves. I want women to start loving themselves and not worrying about fitting into society’s norms or thinking they aren’t beautiful because they don’t look like a Kardashian. I might lose some followers along the way because I’m going to be honest and some people won’t like that, and that’s totally fine! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just see this trend and want to spread awareness that it’s ok to be different. Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn’t give up my face or body just to fit into someone else’s mold of perfection. I’m perfect just the way I am, horse teeth and all!
xoxo Monica
Monica, I love this post so much! I hear you, everyone is trying to ba e Kardashian and I have no time or patience for that. At the end of the day, I’m a fat poor girl from Texas. And I’m always going to be that. Now, I do Instagram themes and I do put effort into my Instagram because I actually enjoy doing it. As for my blogging style, I realized early on that I just don’t have the time or resources big bloggers have. So I decided to find a way to make beautiful pictures in my neighborhood and to be honest about how boring my life is. I think in the end, authenticity is what matters.
Yes, I totally agree with you. Authenticity is all that matters! We will never be able to make everyone happy, there will always be at least one person who doesn’t agree, and that’s ok, but it’s also ok to be yourself and not fit into society norms.