A generation that grew up using social media and the internet has different standards set for themselves. Gen-Z wants to look the best, wear the best clothes and do the trendiest things going on. So here comes the #GlowUp Trend, which had Instagram ablaze. Millions of people were posting reels of their before and after appearances using quirky music and smooth transitions. But what this has done is created a toxic environment for the Gen-Z, whose minds are impressionable.
‘GlowUp’ Trend Or A Constant Pressure To Be Beautiful?
After you’ve lost a lot of weight, you got rid of your acne, or you’ve got a better wardrobe, you post videos of yourselves showing improvement in your appearance. It becomes a vicious cycle of always trying to look your best.
You start to pinpoint your flaws like the way your nose looks, the extra fat on your thighs and so on. You are never satisfied with yourselves, and seeing others glow up makes you even more jealous. It influences Gen-Z to adopt plastic surgeries and use face tuning applications to look better. Constantly looking at these photos and videos makes one compare themselves to others and strive for unrealistic standards.
It is highly unhealthy to live with this mindset, which is the opposite of glowing up. A glow up should involve all aspects of improving life, like your mental health, self-confidence and relationships. It is superficial to focus only on outward beauty. Everything will come apart if one does not concentrate on the base first.
Beauty Comes In All Shapes And Sizes
People point out how their former selves were fat, ugly, and they had low self-esteem, and now they feel confident and beautiful. They criticise their old photos so much when other people comment how they look gorgeous in that too.
We need to realise that there are things we don’t like about ourselves at every stage in our life, but there are also a lot of good qualities about us. We should stop constantly comparing ourselves to others. And be happy that we have reached so far and become better.
Glowing up is not a race. Instead, it is a life-long process where we strive to improve ourselves. Unfortunately, many Gen-Z kids are rushing to glow up during the pandemic. However, rushing does not help. Take your time.
Many Gen-Z persons want to get rid of their acne, lose weight quickly, learn to do better makeup, but this will all lead to burnout. However, setting a few small goals can help. We achieve more when we don’t set our pace according to what other people think.
Types Of Glow-ups
There are many types of Glow Ups that are not based on one’s appearance, like financial, mental, career, and educational glow ups.
Learning how to budget, save for retirement, invest and become financially independent is equally essential. One’s life can improve so much if they know how to manage money.
One can also strive for improving their career and educational qualifications. Levelling up in your career skills, learning the art of networking and asking for the promotion you deserve can go a long way. Moreover, getting a new degree, enrolling in professional certificate programs, learning new things online or through books can help set a positive and learning mindset.
Additionally, a mental glow up can boost your self-esteem and enhance qualities of self-love. Learning to love yourself, becoming confident in your skin, becoming emotionally stable and getting help from a therapist are attainable goals one should strive for.
Authenticity Over Perfection
One should stop trying to prove their worth to other people. We should never try to glow up to brag to others or impress them. Everyone’s idea of perfect varies. We should instead try to be our best authentic selves.
Don’t try to imitate or compete with anyone else. Discovering your own style, allowing yourself to feel free, and being comfortable with your authentic self is the real glow up. We don’t need validation from anyone other than ourselves in our attempt to become the best version.