Carpe Omnes (latin,) literally translated to: seize it all. Similar to: Carpe diem; seize the day.
The human races lives in a world plagued by disease, war, famine, and natural disasters. However, the issue the occupies most minds of teenagers in the fast paced 21st century world is whether or not they can be socially accepted. Adults often blow this epidemic of perfection pressure off, noting it as “just a phase,” making it seem like a minuscule problem. Fitting in is a difficult thing for teenagers to accomplish, and with societal pressures, the need to live up to standards is even more difficult. So it’s not “just a phase.” It’s life, and sometimes, it’s death.
How far will you go to obtain beauty? With beauty there is power, and with power, there is enjoyment. When you skip a meal, cut yourself, or reach a finger down the back of your throat, it gets out. Rumours spread like wildfire in the jungle dubbed high school, and immediately labels are placed. “Handle with care,” people will say. It’s a dangerous game, fitting in. Go too far, and a life could be lost. Anorexia sends teenagers to the hospital on a regular basis, cutting can lead to cutting a major vein, and bulimia can cause things that are supposed to stay in to come out. They call it ‘self harm’ for a reason. However, don’t go far enough, and the self hate might just take over. So where is the median? Between self loathing and just pure vanity, where is the place where someone can stop and say they are truly content with who they are?
The root of this problem is obvious, yet the hardest thing to face. Fingers are pointed at pop culture for only having the beautiful prosper, the media for exploiting flashy celebrities when they look their best, and tearing them down when they look their worst. Then the blame transfers to peers, whose harsh words can cut deep, and, hey, being thin and beautiful is the coolest thing since sliced bread, and since everyone’s doing it, why not jump in on the bandwagon? Parents, teachers, friends, and even strangers can all be blamed for pitching in their part of creating a perfection seeking teenager. However, in the end it is the individuals’ own choice to hurt themselves, therefore it is in the individual to change.
Nobody’s perfect. While it may be in teenage tendency to twist perfection, and turn it into a goal, perfection itself is still just a concept; an idea. Something meant to be unattainable, yet it’s so regularly sought after. As teenagers, we need to extinguish this destructive way of thinking once and for all. I’ll be the first to admit, there are things about myself I don’t particularly like. However, obsessing over these imperfections will only make the situation more miserable, and can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Instead of fixating over things you hate, glorify the things you love. Cling to the good things about life, no matter how small, because the love we find in life are what make living most precious.
Let’s not sugarcoat things, because in a world where lying is the new black, honesty is key today. Life isn’t easy, and it’s very possible that as you transition from adolescence to adulthood, it will only get harder. The most important thing is to be able to get over the slumps, instead of getting caught up in them. It’s crucial to remember that in this world populated by nearly seven billion, you are never alone, even though it may feel like you are. Somewhere in this huge world, there is someone going through the same pain you feel, having the same hate you wake up to, tearing themselves down just like you. So, instead of being part of the statistic of people who fall ill to the pressure to be perfect, be a voice, and thrive in the beauty you refuse to see, instead of focusing on the “ugly” you think you have. Stop the hate and the harm, because it doesn’t make anything better. If anything, it only complicates things. After one “problem” is “solved,” there will be something new to hate, and it’s sick and twisted, but it’s the truth that refuses to be whited out anymore.
In this backwards society, perfection means everything, and happiness is only a second thought. Pressure and envy consumes us, and everyday seems to get harder and harder. However, if we boast in how accepting and kind we are to others, why would we take time out of our day to bring ourselves down? If you wouldn’t hate someone else for being “too fat,” or “too skinny,” then why hate yourself? “Love is louder than the pressure to be perfect,” (Demi Lovato) you just have to open your ears, and be willing to listen. Don’t just seize the day, seize it all, because it’s your life, and instead of making perfection everything, choose happiness.