I Quit Social Media & Makeup for 1 Year

Summary

In this candid and reflective video, the speaker discusses their journey toward self-acceptance and the impact of societal beauty standards and social media on self-worth. They explore how makeup and social media, often seen as tools for confidence, can instead perpetuate insecurity. Through personal anecdotes, the speaker encourages viewers to embrace their authentic selves, take breaks from external validation, and nurture their well-being. The message is clear: self-love and true confidence come from within, and by rejecting comparison, we can live more fulfilling, genuine lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace your authentic self: Self-worth is not tied to appearance or societal standards, but to who you truly are inside.
• 😀 The pressure to meet beauty standards: Society and social media amplify insecurities, making us feel unworthy if we don’t meet the ideal image.
• 😀 Makeup as a mask: While makeup can provide temporary confidence, it’s often a mask that hides your true self and can lead to conditional self-esteem.
• 😀 The impact of social media: Social media encourages comparison, making people feel inadequate and less accomplished, despite their own progress.
• 😀 Self-love beyond appearance: True self-love comes from within, not from conforming to external beauty standards or ideals.
• 😀 Breaking free from perfection: Achieving external ideals, like the perfect body, can lead to arrogance and imbalance, rather than true self-worth.
• 😀 Health over appearance: Focusing on health and well-being, rather than just aesthetics, is a more sustainable way to feel confident and strong.
• 😀 The danger of comparison: Constantly comparing yourself to others on social media can steal your joy and make you feel like you’re never enough.
• 😀 Self-esteem vs. self-worth: Self-esteem is tied to achievements and status, often shaped by comparison, but self-worth is inherent and not defined by external factors.
• 😀 Authenticity attracts the right energies: Being your true self, without the need for masks or validation, leads to genuine relationships and opportunities.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel uncomfortable expressing their thoughts about self-worth?

The speaker feels uncomfortable because society often teaches us to tie our self-worth to external factors such as appearance, success, or validation from others. It feels unnatural to embrace self-love without these external measures.

What childhood perspective on self-worth does the speaker refer to?

As children, we don't care about judgment and speak our thoughts freely. We also create and express ourselves without hesitation, which is a pure form of self-love and authenticity that the speaker wishes to reclaim.

How does social media contribute to feelings of insecurity?

Social media amplifies unrealistic beauty standards and creates constant comparisons, making people feel inadequate by showcasing highlight reels of others' lives. This exacerbates insecurities and distorts perceptions of self-worth.

What role did makeup play in the speaker's self-confidence?

Initially, makeup gave the speaker a confidence boost and made them feel more deserving of wearing nicer outfits and expressing themselves. However, they later realized this was a mask, and true self-worth cannot be tied to external appearance.

What is the speaker's perspective on makeup as a form of self-care?

The speaker acknowledges that makeup can be a tool for self-care, but when used as a necessity for self-acceptance, it becomes problematic. It's not about the makeup itself, but the dependency on it to feel worthy.

How does the speaker address the societal pressure to conform to beauty standards?

The speaker reflects on the pressures faced growing up, particularly the beauty standards surrounding skin color, body shape, and appearance. They encourage embracing these 'flaws' and being unapologetically authentic, as societal standards are often unrealistic and fleeting.

What is the speaker's advice on achieving a healthy body image?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on overall health, not just appearance. A healthy lifestyle should nurture the body and spirit, rather than adhering to superficial standards of beauty that are transient and external.

How does the speaker differentiate between self-worth and self-esteem?

Self-worth is intrinsic and not based on external measures like looks, status, or achievements. Self-esteem, on the other hand, is influenced by how one compares themselves to others and how they perceive their accomplishments in relation to those comparisons.

What effect did the speaker's decision to quit social media and makeup have on their life?

By quitting social media and makeup, the speaker was able to reconnect with their authentic self, let go of shame, and embrace self-love. This led to a deeper understanding of their worth and a healthier relationship with their appearance.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to social media addiction?

The speaker recommends taking a one-month detox from social media to reset dopamine sensitivity and break the cycle of comparison. They suggest engaging in real-life activities, pursuing creative hobbies, or even going for a walk or jog to reconnect with the self.