The Unrealistic Beauty Standards on Social Media: Let’s Talk About It

Breaking the Mold: The Real Struggles Every Woman Faces in a World That Wants Us to Be Perfect

Okay, let’s get real for a second. As women, we’ve been handed a pretty messed-up handbook on what it means to “have it all.” From balancing career success with the “perfect” body to the pressure of always showing up with a smile, our lives are constantly measured against a standard that’s frankly exhausting. And if you’ve ever felt like the “girls supporting girls” mantra is more of a trend than a reality, well, you’re not alone. It’s time we stop pretending that the expectations placed on us as women are even remotely fair or realistic—and instead, start challenging the very idea of what it means to be “feminine” in this society.

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1. The Pressure to “Have It All”

Let’s talk about the myth of the “perfect woman”—you know, the one who is always on top of her career, working out daily, rocking the latest trends, maintaining a flawless relationship, raising kids (if she chooses to have them), and, of course, looking like she just stepped out of a beauty ad, all while keeping her mental health in check. Sound familiar?

We’ve all seen those Instagram influencers who make it look easy. Posting perfectly curated photos of themselves traveling, attending events, and living their best lives, with a latte in hand and their hair in perfect waves. But behind the shiny surface, there’s an untold truth: no one has it all together all the time. Not even the influencers. The pressure to do it all is ridiculous, and it’s about time we call out the myth that women should be able to manage every aspect of their lives effortlessly.

Impossible Standards

Think about it: society expects women to be nurturing, organized, and flawless, all while still finding time for themselves. But what happens when we don’t have the energy to do all of that? Or when we’re just… exhausted? We get made to feel like we’re “failing” if we don’t meet these impossible standards. The worst part? Men are never asked to balance all of these roles in the same way, and that disparity just highlights how ridiculous these expectations are.

It’s okay to not be “on” all the time. It’s okay to take a break, to let your house be a little messy, to have days when you just can’t juggle it all. There is no such thing as perfection, no matter how hard we try to make it look that way. And maybe it’s time we stop measuring ourselves against a standard that doesn’t even exist.

2. The Myth of “Girls Supporting Girls”

Now, let’s talk about something that’s supposed to be empowering: the “girls supporting girls” movement. We hear it everywhere—on social media, in advertising, and even in our group chats. But let’s be real: the execution of this concept often falls flat. We’ve all seen how competition, jealousy, and judgment are sometimes a lot more common than actual support.

Why is it that when a woman succeeds, we’re often faced with passive-aggressive comments or cold shoulders? Why is it so hard to celebrate each other’s wins without someone feeling threatened or jealous? I mean, it’s supposed to be “girl power,” right? But in reality, we’re often pitted against each other in ways that feel more like rivalry than empowerment.

Worthy of Attention

Let’s talk about how women are judged for doing the same things that men get praised for. A woman being confident about her success is often labeled as “cocky” or “arrogant,” while a man would be celebrated as a “go-getter.” And don’t even get me started on the way women are expected to look. The beauty standards on social media make us feel like we have to compete to be worthy of attention, rather than supporting each other in feeling comfortable and confident in our own skin.

I’m not saying that all women don’t support each other—but let’s be honest: it’s a lot harder to find real, genuine support than it is to find competition. Instead of seeing each other as rivals, we need to focus on lifting each other up. The world’s already doing a good enough job at tearing us down—let’s do better.

3. The Ridiculous Standards of Femininity

Let’s get into something that’s been on my mind for a while: the ridiculous standards of femininity we’re expected to uphold. Society has this idea that being feminine means a particular look, a particular behavior, and a specific attitude. You have to be soft, gentle, always kind, always poised, and, of course, impeccably groomed. But here’s the thing: that’s not all there is to being a woman.

Why is femininity reduced to wearing heels, applying makeup, and staying delicate all the time? Why do we have to be tender when we’re angry, polite when we’re frustrated, and graceful when we just want to yell at someone? Women who express anger, assertiveness, or strength are often labeled as “bitchy” or “aggressive,” while men who do the same are called “leaders” or “determined.”

Femininity

The pressure to maintain a soft, “perfect” femininity while still being expected to be tough. Independent, and competent is enough to drive anyone crazy. And let’s not even talk about the judgment women face when they choose not to adhere to traditional femininity. Whether it’s not wearing makeup, cutting their hair short, or just not being “girly” enough. Why is it so hard to accept that femininity, like womanhood itself, is complex and multifaceted?

Here’s the truth: femininity doesn’t have to fit into a narrow mold. Being feminine doesn’t mean you have to wear dresses and act sweet all the time. You can be feminine while being fierce, strong, and unapologetically yourself—however that looks for you.

So, What Now?

The truth is, as women, we’re constantly battling unrealistic expectations. From how we should look, how we should behave, and how much we should be able to juggle at once. It’s time to start challenging these outdated narratives and embrace a reality where we don’t have to be perfect. It’s time we stop feeling guilty for taking time for ourselves, for not being “polished,” and for not fitting into the narrow box society has set for us.

Instead of comparing ourselves to impossible beauty standards, let’s celebrate our imperfections. Instead of competing with other women, let’s work together to build each other up. And instead of trying to fit into society’s vision of femininity, let’s create our own version—one that allows us to be messy, bold, and real.

Because, in the end, you don’t need to have it all together, fit a mold, or live up to some fairy tale version of womanhood to be amazing. You’re already perfect—just as you are.

Let’s stop pretending that perfection is the goal and start embracing our own versions of real, unfiltered beauty. It’s about time we start living life on our terms.

What do you think? Ready to ditch those unrealistic standards? Let’s take back our power and redefine what it means to be a woman. Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s start a real conversation about this.

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