Social media apps and platforms can be detrimental to a woman’s wellbeing. Filters are designed to make your skin look impossibly poreless, with flawless, unattainable dramatized features. Because these apps are in our daily lives as frequently as they are, we may experience a few negative things. In fact, studies have shown how continuously seeing these types of digitally enhanced images can mentally affect us. Take a look at this excerpt from BusinesInsider,
Fitspiration and thinspiration — otherwise known as “fitspo” and “thinspo” — are terms that describe social media accounts and images that encourage users to be fit and thin.
A large 2017 study surveyed US college women and found about 10% had created social media posts about weight, body image, exercise, or dieting over a one-month period. Meanwhile, 27.4% commented on friends’ posts about these topics.
Researchers concluded that more time spent on Facebook leads to more frequent body and weight comparisons and more negative feelings about one’s body. It also found that for women who wanted to lose weight, more time on Facebook resulted in more disordered eating symptoms.
Time for a Change
One woman thought it was time for a change, so she did something outrageous.
Joanna Kenny is an “esthetician and creator of the movement #poresnotflaws, uses her Instagram account to share photos and videos that promote the debunking of the “filter” society, where everything has to appear “perfect” and ideal.” She recently shared a picture of her with a natural mustache. And, of course, the internet went wild.
Speaking to BrightSide, Joanna said “Me highlighting my mustache hair is not me saying ‘Hey, you SHOULD find this attractive.’ Instead, it is serving as a reminder that they don’t HAVE to remove their facial hair to be seen as feminine. In 2021 a woman’s existence is still largely centered around how attractive men find them. I want people to make choices about their bodies without fear of judgment.”
Read: Why More and More Women Have Stopped Shaving Nowadays
Read: If Your Husband Can’t Accept Your Body, Throw The Whole Husband Out
Reactions
Joanna has nearly 100k followers on Instagram and has reached a vast audience with her posts. Most people are in love with her energy and honesty, but, as always, there are those who just don’t get the message.
“There are people who struggle with acne or facial hair and who will read the hate comments. These will be all the confirmation they need that they won’t be accepted as the human that they are. I’m not sorry if visible facial hair makes people uncomfortable and I certainly don’t care if men find me less attractive. I do not make decisions about my body to please other people and no one should.”
BrightSide
Body positivity is her main message, and Joanna promotes it in multiple ways. From facial hair, to back fat, to saggy boobs, she helps everyone to understand that it’s all perfectly normal. What isn’t normal is our obsession with Barbie-doll perfection. Because that just isn’t realistic at all. So, why should you judge yourself for just being you? Well, you shouldn’t!
“Whether you realize it or not, we’ve all been taught some toxic sh*t about our bodies… and what’s worse we repeat it back to ourselves on a regular basis. So here’s the new lesson to recite everyday: There is no part of you that needs to be “fixed.”
Instagram
So, love yourself! You are perfect just the way you are. Filters can be fun, but don’t believe everything you see on social media. Most of it isn’t real, but you are, and you should love yourself for that.
Keep Reading: More Women Embrace Facial Hair To Show Beards Aren’t Just Men’s Affairs
Sources
- “Why social media can make you feel bad about your body — and 3 easy tips to use social media to boost self-esteem.” BusinessInsider. Erin Heger. November 6, 2020.
- “An Influencer Highlights Her Mustache and Encourages Women to Ditch Filters and Enjoy Their True Selves.” BrightSide
- “Joanna Kenny.” Instagram.