A Picture Perfect Reality
Have you ever had a thought about the world around you and wondered if it was all real? I know that I can’t even go a week without questioning reality and the purpose of life at least once. I mean how could I not? With so many popular movies like The Matrix, The Truman Show, and Dark City, or even many reality TV shows that are so obviously scripted, how can you tell what is real? How can you tell which interactions you have are genuine? Sometimes I wonder, if life isn’t a simulation, then why does everything feel propped and deliberate?
It’s tough to decipher the difference between making things beautiful and forcing aesthetics onto things that were already beautiful. Our society's Kardashian-centered beauty standards are so interesting to think about; if we don’t like something about our features, it’s nothing a little bit of plastic surgery can’t fix. Of course, not everyone can afford the luxury of erasing every insecurity with procedures, so most of us have to find beauty in what’s already there. I would much rather glorify the natural beauties than the figments of a reality we all wish we could have.
Sometimes it feels like life isn’t a simulation, our society is. It’s so easy to start overthinking the inner workings of our societal habits, but it gets a little uncanny when everyone has the same catchphrases and outfits because of social media trends. With all of these speed trends, it’s hard to keep up with what the “new thing” is that we’ve all collectively decided to start saying or wearing. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love matching with everyone, but it’s hard not to wonder if I really am an NPC background character in this weird copy-paste world we seem to live in.
There seems to be an increasing obsession with the pursuit of a picture-perfect life, often at the expense of appreciating and embracing natural beauty. This inclination is fueled by the pervasive influence of social media, advertising, and societal expectations, creating a narrative that idealizes flawless images and curated lifestyles.
Social media platforms showcase meticulously edited snapshots of people's lives, creating an illusion of constant happiness, success, and aesthetic perfection. This may just be the cause of many peoples’ social media anxiety, but I think it also creates a stigma that you must capture each moment at its aesthetic face-value. The pressure to conform to these unrealistic standards often overshadows the appreciation of natural beauty, both in ourselves and the world around us.
The reality of it is, we are not living in a simulation; the world is not a tv set like the Truman Show, and we do not need to be perfect, or fit any societal standard. Instead, we should celebrate the uniqueness and authenticity of our own experiences. The wrinkles that tell stories, the raw emotions captured in unfiltered moments, and the authenticity of a life lived fulfillingly is so much more beautiful than any hollow attempt at “blending in”. It is essential to question whether the pursuit of a picture-perfect life aligns with our true values and aspirations or if it is a reflection of societal pressures. Rediscovering the appreciation for natural beauty, both within ourselves and in the world around us, can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling existence for us all.