Social Media has made us all models
Taking photographs with exact angles
And perfect filters
Cleaning up the mistakes we see on ourselves
Deleting the rejects
Because no one is allowed to see us in our truest form
Nobody lives life with a Valencia filter
Some of us have acne
Deal with it
But we can’t
We can’t stand the smallest imperfections
So we crop them out
We blur the face given to us
Because we see ourselves as ugly
Hideous beings that have to be perfect
We create our own masks
Then share them with the world
Praying for validation
And with each like
With each comment
We sink deeper into the pit of self-hate
Because it just shows how people would rather see you in black and white
Than see the real you
Instagram is meant for sharing photos instantly
It’s in the name
Yet we spend hours fixing every small detail
That might be noticed and commented on
God forbid anyone see the pimple on your nose
It’s not like they won’t see it the next day at school
These photos create monsters
Power hungry individuals
Giving themselves the face they want
Rather than understanding they are beautiful the way they are
And while burn victims live with half a face
And war veterans wear their scars in public
We hide our zits
Believing we have it worse than anyone else
I may be a hypocrite
I’ve spent more time than I am proud of
Using that blemish-removing tool
So I can look at myself without feeling insecure
Insecure about myself because all of these other people have the perfect profile picture
While I can’t help but stare at that one dot on my chin
That small dot that makes me feel so utterly self-conscience
That I can’t bear to look at myself
So I blur these mistakes
I add one of those filters
Trying to make myself look like a happier version of myself
While I’m really making myself feel even worse
No filter can make a difference
We all know what hides behind the editing that took place
And the few times we post our true selves
The #NoFilter posts
We believe we have made a huge statement
But why can’t this be the norm
Why can’t a picture with a few blemishes
Be seen as beautiful
One small imperfection means nothing in the big picture
Just the insignificant ones you take yourself
Our obsession with tweaking our faces until we are unrecognizable needs to end
We’ll all end up with wrinkles and age spots one day
Learn to live with your imperfections
They are what make us unique
Once we crop them out
We’ve cropped out our individuality
I’m not saying the occasional touch-up isn’t allowed
But when we rely on these tools for every photo we take
We miss out on the more important things in life
Snap a quick pic
Put the phone down
And live the life you have in the moment
Instagram should be used to save the quick memories
While the important ones are saved inside of us
Stop wasting your life choosing that one filter
Life doesn’t have filters
Be raw and unchanged
Be yourself
Stop wearing your mask
And show the world that you are proud of the face you have
It’s the only one you have
Wear it with dignity