mind.body.soul

Who are we are? When no one is around? Alone with our deepest thoughts? What do we like? What are our ambitions? Forget what we’ve been influenced or told to like or told who we should be.

Who is your authentic self?

Does any of us even know? We live in a strange universe where likes, shares and followers instantly become our inspiration. A nation of conformists in the most unusual and surreal of ways. Becoming clones of one another, filtering out our flaws, airbrushing away our finer details, erasing away the very image of yourself.

We all look the same. We buy the same beauty products, we follow the same tutorials, step by step to achieve the ultimate likeness of your idol or even just someone who has a blue tick next to their name, therefore making them worthy. Pouting lips with all the same captions, relishing in the excitement of like by like. Strategically posting, copying exact outfits and styles, hair colours and pre-sets. What is it that we hope to achieve? The ‘influencer’ is just like you and me, they are creating a version of themselves to share with you. Which can be interesting, educational and inspiring but just because they have 1 million followers that doesn’t mean their way is instantly right. Or the best, or the only way. They are simply expressing themselves; expression isn’t for the select few and for the rest to be bound by. No, it's for everyone. Isn't that the most beautiful thing of all?

We are all so beautiful and unique in our own fascinating way. We have our whole life to discover ourselves, adapt, grow and learn. What excites us? What do we love? Or where? Or who? What gets our mind racing and our heart thumping? We all deserve that level of joy for ourselves, the complete satisfaction in discovering your qualities, interests and opening your mind to so much more.

The social media generation are so obsessed with tik-tok dance routines, snapchat filters and how many likes their pictures receive that we are not discovering who we are. We are influenced every second of the day, from our opinions, to the clothes we wear, to body image, fitness routines, beauty and so the list goes on and on.

Teens no longer have the awkward stage that we all cringe and somewhat reminisce at. Pure naivety, self-discovering and for some really challenging the ‘norm’, blurring the lines, testing the water. Although these years were somewhat confusing and god knows embarrassing, they help shape you. But now, teens are told what's cool and what's not, they can see what receives ‘likes’ and what doesn’t therefore make the instant connection of acceptability. Even controversial images that are experimental, or different in some beautiful way can be removed with a click of button, hidden away, forgotten.

We are so unique and special in our own significant way. Let’s celebrate the differences, stand out of the line, life is about experimenting and getting it wrong sometimes. Not every single thing needs to be ‘perfect’ and even it brings you joy that is enough, it doesn’t need to be validated through likes or shares. Remember, not every single aspect of your life needs to be shared either, there is beauty in mystery and privacy, something that is just for you. Sacred and special.