t's all too common for social media to fail in showcasing the entirety of life's moments. Those scrolling through endless posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter rarely encounter a realistic "behind-the-scenes" portrayal. As human beings, we enjoy sharing our personal joys, but we often only reveal what we choose to share with the world. Why would we want to expose the challenging moments of our lives to complete strangers?
Life isn't joyous all the time, and this is something everyone understands. We all experience our own struggles. For example, I grew up hating myself, my body, and everything I did. Like many other young children, I suffered immensely from a deep-seated hatred of my body type. I constantly compared my tall frame to that of my peers. I wasn't a petite child, but that was no excuse for the self-inflicted hatred I felt. This negativity infiltrated my creativity and distorted my self-perception. Looking back, it’s heartbreaking that my childhood was marred by so much hate and abuse. I realized it wasn't myself I should have blamed; it was the constant pressure from society, family, peers, and media to be thinner and smaller. Girls are raised to value prettiness, and you couldn't be considered pretty if you weren't small enough.
In recent years, I've started promoting body positivity on social media. I often share my newfound confidence, which comes from valuing internal beauty over external appearances. While I know I'm a worthy person doing my best each day, I still have moments when I overvalue my body and its physical appearance. In those moments, I try to recognize the physical blessings my body provides: I can breathe, I can feel my heart beating, and I have the privilege of creating new ideas and bringing them to life. Not everyone has complete control over their bodies or minds, but we all have lives for which to be thankful.
Our souls, hearts, and thoughts carry us from day to day and connect us as humans. Although our bodies may look different from one another's, diversity is a beautiful thing. It's crucial to remember that what lies within us truly matters; otherwise, we risk judging ourselves and others unfairly. As a child, I failed to learn that prettiness isn't what matters most. While I discovered self-love on my own, I want to remind others that it can be taught. Let's teach future generations to devalue superficial standards and to embrace love, diversity, self-compassion, and empathy for others.
Love,
Lexy Spreitzer xoxo
- [ @lexysprite - www.lexyspreitzer.com ]
