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What shape or size you ought to be
Getting away from images and ideas on the notion of beauty.
It seems that there is no way of getting away from images and ideas concerning the notion of beauty, or the undesirability of flaws in one's physical appearance. No matter where you go, or where you look, you will inevitably come across a projection of what is considered to be "beautiful". You will be told what shape or size you ought to be, or how you should dress, or what look you should be going for, in accordance with the latest trends. Whether it is in one of the many fashion magazines that are in publication, on any of the talent seeking competitions on TV, or while shopping, you will constantly be bombarded with images of the desirable, most "beautiful people" of the world. These people typically look strikingly unlike the majority of the nation.
Of course, all of this is the result of strategically planned marketing and media players who have very successfully managed to directly influence what the majority of the public deem to be beautiful, fashionable and desirable. Such crazed notions should not have such a strong bearing on the choices and thoughts of youths, or indeed adults. However, I think that unfortunately images that pertain to this ideal of beauty, affects us all in this troublesome western society of ours. We seem to be fuelled by trends and marketable ideas of fashion and beauty.
The idea of being an individual or deviating from the norm seems to be waning rapidly. Of course, this all depends on your own outlook, and who you are as a person, and how much you choose to resist such downright ridiculous mind bending techniques. It is true that not everyone is overwhelmed by the prospects of having to be a size 6 to a size 10 in order to fit into the season’s latest offerings. Yet it seems that very many people are fearful when it comes to embracing their individuality, which is quite a disappointing refection on us. Everyone has one hang up or another about their physical appearance which I'm sure is quite natural to the human condition, but so what?
However, aren't there more important things to think about, and more fulfilling ways to spend one's time than constantly worrying about such superficial flaws? This is not to say that one should not take pride in their appearance, or enjoy looking and feeling well about themselves, which are very important factors to one's happiness. What seems to be a real problem are the issues that fabricated notions of beauty and desirability have on the lives of those who are particularly susceptible to such influences, which can manifest themselves in eating disorders, self inflicted bodily harm and even racial modification.
All of this trouble and fretting just because a string of scarily underweight models appear on a catwalk in Paris, under the direction of people who really aren't in touch with the real world, or the needs or happiness of the average woman or man. Or perhaps it is because members of the fashion world’s elite have been spotted wearing a particular pair of "must have" sunglasses or some other such piece of fashion paraphernalia that are outrageously overpriced? How are you going to afford them? Will you have to order them online, or travel to get them? Should you get the same colour as Posh's? Why do you want to want to buy the same sunglasses as someone else, just because someone else told you to?
The ease with which people will be lead to make totally unnecessary purchases, just because they will feel somehow more accepted or stylish for doing so is totally illogical. The sooner the public begin to ask themselves and each other these valid questions, the better off everyone will be in the long run. Apart from those silly fashion directors and marketing chiefs who are, telling you what to buy and who to be, that is.
By: GK
