#i shouldn't be allowed to have photoshop and an internet connection

[sexyzuka]

I wanted to make a motivational poster for my office, but an hour later it turned into this.

Kiba believes in you, don't give up!

[claradrafts]

Online vs Offline Self: WHO IS THE REAL YOU?

The vast majority of us care about what others perceive us. Most of us are inclined to have others see us in a positive light. We seek validation from others. In accordance to Abraham Moslow's Hierarchy of Needs, he refers to the essential needs for recognition and approval. This also is confirmed by my observations that we want others to see us in the most positive way. In regards to the digital self, we now have an opportunity to amplify our positive traits, especially if we regard ourselves as 'average' and are concerned with rejection. Digital technology and the internet seem to provide us with a way to cover up our flaws and imperfections that we never could before. This includes anything from using photoshop to edit our pictures, to lying about our real identity to acting with an inflated sense of self-importance while in a cyberspace. More and more, the gap between our “real self” and “digital self” seems to be growing greater and greater.

Platforms such as Facebook allow us to stay connected to important others and actually many others. We also keep tally of “likes” and “dislikes” and anticipate much more of positive responses. Personally, I use a lot of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and a lot more. But I rarely post on the said platforms. I don't like sharing much, even a bit, of my personal details or happenings in my life. Aside from I use them for accessing quality information and get the news and happenings in just a click, they also bridges the gap and keep me in touch with my family, friends, and relatives.

In conclusion, the digital world has provided us with greater opportunities. We use it for communication, for amusement, to seek opportunities, to keep us updated, and even expressing our Identity in any form we want to. The rise of social media has not only given rise to good things but has also created quite a few damaging ones to our physical self. Many young people today find themselves creating two completely different personas: one for online, one for off. We should all be authentic and embrace our inherent awesomeness. It is authenticity that most attracts us to others; when we see someone’s true self, we connect to them in a way that is deeper than superficial admiration we get online.

Social Self: Why We Shouldn't Let Society Label Us

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Due to drastic influence of society has on us, sometimes we lack of individuality in our lives. We don't really know who we are because of how much society has impacted us. I have my own experience on how society does this and why do I feel the need to fit into it.

"You shouldn't wear high heels because you're already really tall, you're going to make everyone else look so short." I am constantly reminded whenever I attempt to wear heels during special occasions because of my height. Now, I began to feel uncomfortable being tall and I started to do and wear things that prevented me from looking any taller than I already am including wearing heels. I let other people impact how I felt about myself and make me feel awkward about something that I can´t help. I was unknowingly lowering my own confidence so that everyone else around me could be comfortable.

I realize that we cannot completely be ourselves in this world without upsetting some people. That brought me from the idea that society's influence hinders us from being our true selves. Whether we realize it or not we are always trying to get the approval of others. We long for acceptance from others before we understand it within ourselves. We are constantly and unconsciously trying to please others. We all try to fit into the norms of society in order to seek approval from others. We prioritize fitting in and conformity over self-love, acceptance and individuality.

We let society pick our identities apart and tell us that we aren't normal, beautiful, or amazing when we shouldn´t. Go against the ordinary and do as you please. You are the only one who lives your life so it's not fair for you to not be the person you want to be and are supposed to be. Be yourself and love yourself.