How many times do you find yourself comparing lives, wealth, bodies and looks to a total stranger online? Statistically speaking, around 90% of women find themselves doing this every time they are on social media.
When online, there are many carefully curated images and highlight reels that often create unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness – leading to feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-esteem. Things like this can lead to many unhealthy habits such as a change in mental and physical health. Knowing the reality of these things is the first step to success.
This topic is something that is relatively relatable for most people since, especially recently, social media has become a big part in many women’s lives. In reality, it’s not always as it seems. Many women see influencers online with “perfect bodies” that, according to the media, every woman should have. This makes women very self critical of themselves and how they look on the outside. Sarah Walton, in “Social Media and the Trap of Comparison for Women” said that, “The point is that the same thing that can be a blessing to us can also be a thief of peace, joy, contentment, and true community.”
Real vs fake is very important to understand. Social media often shows only the best moments, filtered and edited to create a perfect appearance. Recognizing this helps prevent unrealistic comparisons. It encourages self-acceptance, reminding us that real life is far messier and more complex than what we see online. Constant comparison on social media can negatively impact someone’s physical health by fueling unhealthy habits and body dissatisfaction. When individuals feel pressured to meet unrealistic beauty standards, they may resort to extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or other harmful behaviors. This can lead to physical exhaustion, nutritional imbalances, or even eating disorders. The stress and anxiety caused by these daily habits can also weaken overall health. Alix Walker in her article “Comparison Culture is taking its Toll on our Self-esteem” stated, “You finally get what you expected would make you happy, and then you see the highlight reel of someone else’s life and you suddenly crave that too.”
Unfortunately, this topic is something that we all will have to deal with for the rest of our lives. There are many reasons why women tend to compare themselves on social media. Cultural ideas of beauty, the influence of popular influencers, and the way people often share only their best moments, all play a part in this. Social media platforms also show us content that focuses on perfection, which makes it easy to feel like we don’t measure up. While social media can offer inspiration and connection, it’s important to approach it thoughtfully to avoid negative comparisons and maintain a healthy sense of self.
Why Don’t I Look Like Her? : Understanding the Difference between Authentic and Staged Media
By Hanna Farrow ‘25
How many times do you find yourself comparing lives, wealth, bodies and looks to a total stranger online? Statistically speaking, around 90% of women find themselves doing this every time they are on social media.
When online, there are many carefully curated images and highlight reels that often create unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness – leading to feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-esteem. Things like this can lead to many unhealthy habits such as a change in mental and physical health. Knowing the reality of these things is the first step to success.
This topic is something that is relatively relatable for most people since, especially recently, social media has become a big part in many women’s lives. In reality, it’s not always as it seems. Many women see influencers online with “perfect bodies” that, according to the media, every woman should have. This makes women very self critical of themselves and how they look on the outside. Sarah Walton, in “Social Media and the Trap of Comparison for Women” said that, “The point is that the same thing that can be a blessing to us can also be a thief of peace, joy, contentment, and true community.”
Real vs fake is very important to understand. Social media often shows only the best moments, filtered and edited to create a perfect appearance. Recognizing this helps prevent unrealistic comparisons. It encourages self-acceptance, reminding us that real life is far messier and more complex than what we see online. Constant comparison on social media can negatively impact someone’s physical health by fueling unhealthy habits and body dissatisfaction. When individuals feel pressured to meet unrealistic beauty standards, they may resort to extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or other harmful behaviors. This can lead to physical exhaustion, nutritional imbalances, or even eating disorders. The stress and anxiety caused by these daily habits can also weaken overall health. Alix Walker in her article “Comparison Culture is taking its Toll on our Self-esteem” stated, “You finally get what you expected would make you happy, and then you see the highlight reel of someone else’s life and you suddenly crave that too.”
Unfortunately, this topic is something that we all will have to deal with for the rest of our lives. There are many reasons why women tend to compare themselves on social media. Cultural ideas of beauty, the influence of popular influencers, and the way people often share only their best moments, all play a part in this. Social media platforms also show us content that focuses on perfection, which makes it easy to feel like we don’t measure up. While social media can offer inspiration and connection, it’s important to approach it thoughtfully to avoid negative comparisons and maintain a healthy sense of self.
Sources