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| Three Days No Shower, and I am okay with being imperfect. Photo Credit: Paul Jantzi |
Okay Ladies, we've all been either ranting about or applauding certain accounts on social media. We question the authenticity of certain females and wonder if they are really following the notion of #liveauthentic.
Yeah, you know what I am talking about. Those articles that target some pretty elite instafamous ladies. The most notable articles were featured by @tetongravity and most recently,@missadventuresmag. These articles have us drawing our battle lines. Any of us would be lying if we didn't admit to judging the perfectly coifed hair and editorial shots on notable Instagram accounts. We hide behind our smartphones saying incredibly judgmental and hurtful comments.
Is this really judgment or jealous? And is it fair? It isn't fair. Human nature is bringing to light our own insecurities and jealous. These rad ladies are just as human and imperfect as all of us. They just are able to market themselves a little bit better than the rest of us. Social media has opened the flood gates to have high school follow us into adulthood. Should high school popularity and bullying really ever be acceptable?
To be fair, Instagram is not about authenticity. It is about the picture. How many of you can honestly say you've read the print below the picture before double clicking the crap out of an image? It is the beauty of a picture that has all of us loving it and adding the place to our never ending bucket list.
Deep breaths.
This shouldn't be a shocker, but as women we live in a society where we feel we must look and be a certain way. The social media collective magnifies this even more. Just like the generation before us compared themselves to the Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss types, we are comparing ourselves to notable IGers.
Now, let us say it out loud, " We are jealous and insecure." You can deny it all you want, but yeah, your jealous. Sure, I wish I could have perfect hair after a day in the mountains, but that's usually not the case. Also, can we please all accept the fact that we are women? It is okay to wear or not wear make up. You are already out there being a badass, and its okay to do the things that make you feel good while doing. No one should be shamed for that.
There is only one concern that I really ever have for these famous grammars, and it is losing touch of the experience. I have done this myself where I feel like I have to get the best shot for my social media, which is stupid. I have witnessed a friend cry because she did not feel pretty and did not get the shot she wanted. Why? Why consume ourselves with these pictures? Instead consume ourselves with the moment. In ten years, no one will care how cool you were on IG. Case and point, MySpace.
So, why do we as women continue to be incredibly brutal to the same sex? I have not seen any articles focusing on the authenticity of famous male igers. Their photos are just as staged, yet we say nothing. In turn, is it okay for men to have the perfect shot, but not women?
Here is the challenge to myself and other women, We have all judged others harshly and been judged harshly. It is time to separate our thoughts from thinking that "reality" is social media. Stop the snarky comments behind one others back. Work on accepting that we are all different, don't hide behind your phone and laptop. We aren't going to like everyone in our lives, and that's okay. We don't need to say negative things or trash talk. If something bothers you say something. Bette to speak your peace then get angry from never saying anything. Empowered women, empower women, Cliché I know, but it is the truth. Ganging up on authors isn't much better either. Embrace who you are and go with it. Wave your freak flag and be proud of who you are. There is only one you, one lifetime. We've all been judged and there are constant misconceptions floating around out there.
My thoughts in closing, (and remember these are just my thoughts) who am I to question someone else's commitment, authenticity, and love of the outdoors? Instgram is place where we decide what we do and do not share. Pretty pictures are just pretty pictures. It is no concern of mine or yours if someone is #authentic.
So what I think what they were really trying to say, the authors of these controversial articles, is Instagram is just Instagram. Do not compare yourself to everyone whether it is what they look like, how hard they climb, or how cool they look. We have to break these bad habits after lifetimes of self-hate and the constant need to compare ourselves to everyone. Love and support each other. Life is hard and the microscope of social media is making it harder to not pick out our flaws and each others. Why make life even harder?
Next time you find yourself judging someone else, ask yourself why you are really feeling that way. Embrace you, we are all beautiful. Enjoy the journey.
