We are living in an interconnected world due to digitalisation. And with access to social and digital media, it imposes superficial ideals that we may find unrealistic but find ourselves chasing and comparing to the these ideals.
You need a job which pays you $8000 to be happy, you need to stay in a 5-room matured area HDB to be considered average. You want to travel once every two months else you’re not exposed to the world.
You’re expected to look a certain way. Good looking guys are often depicted as tall, fair with fluffy hair. Good looking girls are depicted as fair, skinny with long straight hair.
You see your better looking colleagues being invited to lunch and given opportunities. You need to have a degree from the top 3 universities else your future is ruined.
There seems to be the template and ideals for everything and if you don’t fit the ideal, you find yourself lacking and for some, it seems like a never ending self induced stress chase.
And that’s why many turn to extreme ways to fit the ideals. To be rich take on jobs which pays you good money at the expense of your morals and relationships.
You pay $3000 a month for that continental car to flash on insta at the expense of your bank account. Younger adults are turning to plastic surgery to look like a factory moulded doll.
Some go on an extreme diet at the expense of proper nutrition to look skinny. All for that mere validation from people who tbh don’t give a shit about you.
Hence, amidst this noise, what can you do to love yourself more and if you did, what made you finally you break away from chasing the ideals?
Netizens’ comments
- Just get off social media and live your life. It’s that simple.
- Read about existentialism/nihilism and realise that everything is pointless and just live life as you want as long as you dont regret it at the end of the day
- Sometimes when I start to complain, i look at how far I have achieved in life. How many countries I have lived in, worked my ass off till this level, study part time plus work full time.
When I feel sad, I drag myself go shower and dress up, put on some make up, look at myself in the mirror. Damn! Lol. Nah, real story tho. Was damn down last night (also due to pms ing). Did just that and put on new cute yoga top. Instantly, my mood was up again.
I guess, dont surrender to the negative thoughts. Hug yourself once in awhile, validate yourself, compliment yourself. You dont need that from anyone else.