Social media has transformed how we interact and engage with the people around us. While in the past, we may have interacted with distant friends and relatives on an infrequent basis, the power of technology enables us to get a view of the everyday lives that our neighbours, peers, and distant family lead.
When life is complicated, the easiest thing to do is to post about only the positive events in your life - engagements, weddings, or a recent holiday, perhaps. This curated view of the world can often lead to an altered view of one’s own life and often body image too. But at the same time, social media has fostered communities that are open and transparent, sharing the highlight reels of their lives as well as the realities behind them.
This increased access to others' lives has opened up all new ways to connect with people worldwide and has given us instant information, from where people buy their clothes and shoes to their skincare routines and how they seek treatment for medical conditions you otherwise may not have heard of.
Social Media is Complicated
As we spend more time than ever on social media, we begin to consume a highly concentrated version of filtered and edited content, designed to solicit high volumes of engagement, no matter the cost. It’s estimated that the average Aussie spends more than 55 hours per month on social media - slightly less than the time spent watching broadcast and playback media.
Where modern social media can be disheartening, it’s important to remember - no matter what you look like, your body is what it is, and as long as it works, that’s what is most important. There are many folks that defy the expectations of social media, representing diverse body types and physical conditions in everything from television to modelling. Additionally, people working in the realm of plastic surgery have used their social platforms to promote transparency and educate their audiences.
You can also be a part of transforming social media from a highly curated environment - by supporting those who share a diverse variety of bodies online. The body positivity movement in recent years, such as the work done by leading campaigner and 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, alongside attempts by social media companies to improve content moderation, highlight the challenges that even the largest technology firms have in promoting body positivity over body filtering.
There’s More to Plastic Surgery Than Meets the Eye
Many misconceptions surround the discussion of plastic surgery. As a result, for many, the notion of going to a surgeon can oftentimes seem more intimidating than it is. But the cosmetic nature of plastic surgery is just one aspect of it. For many, it's the reconstructive aspect that holds significant importance and is often overlooked and underappreciated for the positive impact it can have.
The procedure of reconstructive surgery can prove life-changing to a person’s life. From intricate surgeries for traumatic injuries and burns to reconstructive work for cancer patients and children with congenital defects, plastic surgery may be medically necessary in some cases. It is through these specialty procedures that people can improve their self-esteem, body image and confidence, which in turn drastically improves their lives.
For example, those who suffer from nasal fractures due to previous injuries or those with a deviated septum can benefit from procedures such as rhinoplasty as it can correct any damage to the nose and improve the patient’s ability to breathe through their nose.
Plastic surgeons on platforms such as Instagram have been increasingly using their accounts to promote transparency and provide people with education on different procedures and their medical benefits.
Championing Acceptance in a Modern World
For those who struggle with body image, there are a range of different strategies that can be undertaken to help manage negative feelings. It’s important to remember that this list is by no means exhaustive - there may be other strategies that work for you.
Firstly, consider surrounding yourself with positive influences - whether they be trusted friends, support groups, or people who just uplift you in general. It’s equally beneficial to curate your social media feed with body-positive accounts. Don’t spend time doom scrolling and feeling bad - social media can often present an unrealistic vision of the world.
Secondly, remember that you’re not the only person on social media. You may have close friends or family who are also experiencing feelings of distress, so consider being a positive role model, speaking openly about your own feelings and experiences, and using what you know for not only uplifting yourself but others as well.
Third and finally - make sure you take a break from social media from time to time. Extended periods on social media have well-documented links to negative behaviours. Tools available such as Apple’s Screen Time and Android’s Digital Wellbeing menus can help you understand just how much time you spend on social media, as well as help you work towards reducing your time online.
There are also support services available online from programs such as the Butterfly Foundation that are available if you need immediate support.
Championing acceptance can sometimes feel difficult. But you never know, it may just make an impact on those around you. Normalising our bodies and being proud of what we’re made of is just one way towards a journey of lifelong body positivity.
