I stare at my dull skin and lifeless hair, my test scores, and my weight, and wonder how I will ever compare. Every swipe reveals a new pretty girl: “God, I wish I had her body,” “Why couldn’t God make me this beautiful?” “Am I not good enough?” It’s a question that we’ve all asked ourselves at least once.
As we search for the best makeup routines to follow and the best outfits to wear, we lose ourselves in the process and forget who we are. We become so entangled with the allure of social media that we lose our purpose and identity as human beings. We almost forget the meaning of “being ourselves,” the concept gradually disappearing from our vocabulary. As high school students, not only do we juggle tests, deadlines, and college submissions, but we also struggle with comparison and perfectionism along the way. In the race to fit into an ideal that doesn’t exist, we risk losing the most important thing of all: ourselves.
As frequently online teenagers, we compare everything about ourselves to strangers online, assuming that their life is perfect based on the media they choose to post. One 10th grader voiced that “social media shows teenagers idealized versions of content creators, which makes teens feel inferior because their lives aren’t “perfect “.” We need to stop comparing ourselves, and start embracing our individuality. Practicing gratitude instead of focusing on what we don’t have, to help us realize what we do have. Practicing gratitude is sufficient to realize the blessings we do have in our lives. Our capabilities to learn, understand, and grow are gifts that allow us to navigate challenges, appreciate experiences, and build meaningful connections with others.
As teens we always have the conflicting thought that we aren’t good enough because someone out there is way better than us. One 10th grader student stated “Comparing myself to those content creators makes me and others feel like our work is not enough, even when it is.” We all know that no one is perfect but do we really? It’s so easy to watch people achieve things that you’ve dreamed of and feel conflicted or jealous about it. Watching things come “easy” to people can be infuriating because no matter how hard you try there’s no possible way that you can ever measure up to them.
Perfectionism doesn’t exist and it never will. No matter how hard we try to be perfect enough for ourselves or for others, it’s impossible because in the end we will only achieve what’s meant for us. Stop chasing an unattainable ideal and start embracing your authentic self. Focus on growth, effort, and progress rather than perfection, because true success comes from learning, resilience, and staying true to who you are.
In a world where we must be perfect, beautiful, and smart, it’s easy to forget what truly matters. Instead of chasing perfection, let’s embrace who we truly are. Instead of scrolling on social media and comparing ourselves to the seemingly prettiest or smartest people, practice gratitude and remind yourselves that you are just as smart and just as beautiful.
