you don't have to be pretty

Summary

In this late-night reflection, the speaker discusses the societal obsession with physical appearance, particularly the concept of 'prettiness.' They argue that striving to be pretty is not only unimportant but also a distraction from more meaningful pursuits. Drawing from personal experiences and broader reflections, they emphasize the value of inner beauty, self-acceptance, and focusing on what truly matters in life. The message encourages viewers to reject superficial standards and embrace their natural selves, highlighting that true beauty comes from within.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The speaker recorded this episode at 4 a.m., initially planning to talk about procrastination but felt compelled to address another topic instead.
• 🤔 The episode was meant for the speaker's future self, reflecting on ambiguous and challenging topics.
• 💄 The speaker challenges societal beauty standards, arguing that the focus on being 'pretty' is unnecessary and distracting.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting oneself as they are, rather than striving to meet arbitrary beauty standards.
• 📚 The speaker notes that focusing too much on appearance takes away time and energy from more meaningful pursuits, like learning and creating.
• 😌 The distinction is made between being 'pretty' by societal standards and being 'beautiful,' which is linked to one's actions and inner peace.
• 💬 The speaker appreciates that their messages are heard because of what they say, not how they look, and prefers to present themselves in a raw, unembellished manner.
• 👩‍🦳 The speaker discusses how beauty is perceived differently across cultures, and how certain features are unfairly idolized.
• 🚫 The speaker warns against the influence of social media and its tendency to shape our subconscious with harmful beauty standards.
• 🎯 The overall message is to focus on what truly matters in life—actions, growth, and self-acceptance—rather than superficial appearances.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to create the episode at 4 a.m.?

The speaker felt a strong urge to create the episode after praying and decided to record it at 4 a.m., even though they originally intended to sleep.

What was the original topic the speaker planned to discuss before shifting to the current one?

The speaker initially planned to create an episode about procrastination as a continuation of a previous episode.

What is the speaker’s stance on the concept of 'pretty' in society?

The speaker argues that the societal concept of 'pretty' is unimportant and that people should not focus on it, as it is a superficial standard that detracts from more meaningful aspects of life.

How does the speaker differentiate between 'pretty' and 'beautiful'?

The speaker differentiates 'pretty' as a societal standard of physical appearance, while 'beautiful' refers to the inner qualities and deeds of a person that reflect on their face, making them genuinely pleasant to look at.

What is the significance of the memory the speaker shares about being happy in the cinema with their mother?

The memory illustrates that true happiness is found in being present and enjoying the moment, rather than being concerned with physical appearance or capturing the moment for social media.

What does the speaker mean by 'genetic lottery,' and how does it relate to the concept of prettiness?

The 'genetic lottery' refers to the random distribution of physical traits that society deems attractive. The speaker emphasizes that some people are considered 'pretty' simply due to genetics, which shouldn't be a basis for self-worth or happiness.

Why does the speaker mention Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) in the discussion?

The speaker mentions Prophet Joseph to highlight that being 'pretty' or physically attractive can be a test or trial, as it was for him, demonstrating that appearance should not be overly valued.

What does the speaker suggest people should focus on instead of their physical appearance?

The speaker suggests that people should focus on more meaningful activities, such as learning, creating, and living in the present moment, rather than obsessing over their appearance.

How does the speaker feel about the 'hijabi fashionista' trend?

The speaker expresses concern that the 'hijabi fashionista' trend ties the concept of prettiness to the hijab, which was meant to protect against such superficial concerns, and questions the attention given to physical appearance in this context.

What message does the speaker ultimately want to convey to the audience?

The speaker wants to remind the audience that they do not have to be 'pretty' according to societal standards. Instead, they should focus on more important aspects of life, be content with their natural appearance, and not let superficial concerns dominate their thoughts.