Unrealistic perception on aesthetics and appearance

Beauty is purely a subjective preference. Not a “standard”. Not an objective measurement. Or an imitation that’s generally considered as universal norm.

In all objective truth, beauty and attractiveness means pretty much everything. It signals health. Propagates self esteem. Many people even argue it increases your likelihood to become employed and have an increase in sales and income.

One very intriguing biological trait of ours is that our brain takes interest in what’s “pleasant” and what’s “beautiful”. We don’t actively shame or subconsciously dislike those who are simply unattractive just for the sake of it or because where spiteful or hateful. It’s because our brain familiarises itself with things that seem attractive. For example a view of a bright horizon or pleasant garden. Or a neatly decorated room. Once you’re repeatedtly exposed to these things your brain notes it down as pleasant to look at. At the same time, mostly due to the influence of social media, society reinforces “standards” that are considered typical beauty. So overtime your brain learns that what’s appreciated and praised deserves recognition and attention. If you keep seeing specific body types, certain facial features, preferred skin types on instagram and tik tok you brain subconsciously starts toaccept such as a common standard of “beauty”.

This narrative of beauty standards often tarnishes our own self image and esteem. Once we start to compare ourselves to these exaggerated perceptions of beauty and charm we see online, we form this illusion that if we do not meet these standards then we are simply ugly or unattractive. Many young people and even adults think this was. Even though we may generally get attention and be deemed attractive by others, our exaggerated sense of aesthetic appeal and superiority tells us otherwise and we hyper fixate on our insecurities. This often leads to depression, unappreciation of one’s appearance and body, or a warped perception of ourselves and how others are “meant” to look.

Aesthetic and beauty appeal is subjective. What others may not find attractive others won’t. Find solace on how God made you, not what is reinforced and imaged by others around you.