Filters Are Changing How We See Ourselves and Killing Our Confidence. So What Can We Do About It?
Staring at own faces, day in and day out. What exactly is it doing to our self-image?
Let’s start an unprocessed 90’s era revival, shall we?! 📸
I’m a new TikToker. I came across a video recently created by a photographer that lead me into the conversation I’m having on the show today. The video basically took unprocessed 90’s era photos of celebs, and photoshopped them into a more accurate depiction of how these photos would be presented today.
I have so many thoughts when I see videos like this.
@ouiwegirl #duet with @caroline_in_thecity let’s start an unprocessed 90’s era revival shall we?! I have so many thoughts when I see videos like this. We’re living our lives in times of full cultural acceptance of a filtered reality. There was a study in 2020, when we all started seeing our faces on zoom all day long, the report was that 66 percent of people see “huge deformations” in their faces after just a minute of looking at ourselves on a screen. Couple that with the practice of photoshopping and filtering everything and that can lead to an overwhelming dismal self confidence amongst us. I say all this as an observer, a mental wellness advocate, a beauty industry entrepreneur and as someone who gets botox and has tried filler. I’d never judge what someone chooses to do with their face or photoshopping practices for that matter. I do, however love the raw realness of these 90s celebs. In the spirit of self love, the next time you’re selfie-ing or zooming, and you feel your confidence plunging, say something complimentary to yourself! Pay attention to your uniqueness and what makes you special. This practice can go along way in retraining the subconscious mind. 🤍 #maybeitsphotoshop #90scelebrities #aging #naturalskincare ♬ Flowers - Miley Cyrus
We’re living our lives in times of full cultural acceptance of a highly filtered reality.
The excessive use of photoshop can be found in most photos we see. From advertisements to magazines, movies, TV, and social unrealistic, unattainable images surround us. Our society encourages us to embrace unrealistic, digitally altered, flawless facades.
High exposure to perfectly symmetrical faces, with lush lashes, full, pouty lips, and Bella Hadid level cheekbones - has been proven time and time again to have a large impact on our self-esteem. Photoshop, editing apps, and filters are literally tricking our subconscious mind into believing this level of flawless beauty exists.
In the video, we see celebs Jennifer Anniston, SJP, Julia Roberts, Whitney Houston, and a few others morph from raw and real beauties into something almost otherworldly.
I say all of this as an observer, a mental wellness advocate, someone who went through ED treatment in her teens, a beauty industry entrepreneur, and someone who gets botox and has tried filler. I don’t judge what someone chooses to do with their face or photoshopping practices. I’ve certainly used the apps to make corrections when I feel especially flawed.
I love the raw realness of these 90s celebs. In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on the photoshop and filtering dilemma, zoom face - how it affects our minds, how we inevitably talk to ourselves, and how that can be especially damaging for our mental well-being and our ability to design an optimal future.
How to Reset Your Mind When it Comes to Beauty Standards
Here are a few ways to reset the mind and show up in support of yourself.
1 - Stop talking shit about yourself
Stop apologizing for how you look.
I don’t know if I have the nerve to be fully unprocessed myself, but I have been feeling more willing to go sans makeup lately to let my skin breathe and I’m apologizing less when I go out in public that way. When you get on zoom, facetime with a friend, or on IG to post a story - do your best to avoid commenting negatively on your appearance.
No “omg my hair, or, sorry I didn’t do my brows today.” Also notice this is mostly a thing women do; rarely do guys get on and say, “oh excuse me, I’m wearing this hat today because my hair is fucked, and I haven’t shaved.”
2 - WRITE COMPLIMENTS TO YOURSELF
In the spirit of self-love, the next time you’re selfie-ing or zooming, and you feel your confidence plunging, say something complimentary to yourself! Pay attention to your uniqueness and what makes you special. When you notice yourself becoming distracted on video calls by worrying about your appearance or comparing it to others, practice gently redirecting your focus back to what you’re there for.
Maybe you brought up some really remarkable points, or your creativity has been super next level, or maybe you did a mask last night and your skin is feeling extra fresh - jot down a few nice things and do your best to make at least a few of those things unrelated to your appearance.
We often overvalue looks and believe that our self-worth and contribution s based on looks. Writing down your wonderful qualities and those you want to continue cultivating can go a long way in retraining the subconscious mind.
3 - Unfollow accounts promoting unrealistic faces and bodies
Any brand, celeb or influencer trying to sell you products with unrealistic faces or bodies or who promote unattainable beauty, is not for you. I personally am super interested in following women who are raw, real, authentic, who celebrate themselves when they have big wins and don’t self depricate. I’m interested in women who share honestly how they’re feeling and how all of this impacts them too.
If you find yourself scrolling and landing on a photo that makes you feel bad or starts to create comparison for you - ask yourself - is this real?
Does this person likely really roll around normally looking like this, or has this photo been edited, filtered, and selected because it was the best of 100 shots?
There is science behind why these points can actually make a difference in how you see yourself and in turn, how you show up in the world.
This episode is sponsored by Herbal Face Food: the most potent Anti-Aging, Multi-Correction, Anti-Viral skincare product on the market. Use the discount code: OUIWEGIRL for 20% off the Herbal Face Food collection and the code OUIWEGIRLCREAM for the newest product, the Cream.
Resources:
The Mental Health Impact of Beauty Filters from Instyle
How Staring At Our Faces is Impacting Our Self Image from Vogue
Creating an Optimal Future from the NLP Society of CA
Zoom Face, How to Look and Feel Your Best from Forbes
Want to chat about this episode? Text 📲 at +1 (323) 405-9256
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This show is produced, mixed, recorded + additional music by T'Ben Alleman
Closing music: Pet Fangs
