Why We Need to Re-evaluate The Way We Define Beauty

Beautiful. What does that word mean, anyway? We hear it all the time and are told we should aspire to be it, but what does it mean? Merriam-Webster defines it as this, "having qualities of beauty:  exciting aesthetic pleasure." 

Even after reading a definition like that, I'm still unclear. To me, the idea of beauty is a manipulated one. We're told that celebrities are beautiful is celebrities. Beautiful is apparently thin, button-nose, perfectly round chests, thin legs, abs, strong arms, the list goes on.

Who decided that all of these things are what makes someone beautiful? The idea of beauty is emphasized as an external factor rather than as an internal one.

We need to start redefining what the word beautiful really means because right now it appears as though it only holds one, superficial definition and that is detrimental to how we feel about ourselves in society.

Photo Credit Wix

It Hurts Self-Esteem

People cannot control the way they look. We are born how we are and that's it. We should be happy to be healthy, but the media makes us feel bad if we don't fall into their very narrow idea of "beautiful." We should not have to feel badly for how we look, we should just be grateful to be alive.

However, when every media platform is scrutinizing physical appearance to the extremes that it is, it's hard not to feel badly.

Too Much Pressure On The Wrong Things

There's too much emphasis on physically looking beautiful. Why is so much pressure on the superficial aspects and not the health and wellness aspects of our lives? Have you ever seen a magazine emphasizing a person because of their fabulous mental health? I know I never have.

The media is cheering on people who are "beautiful" while failing to shed light on the deeper and more important things in life, like feeling beautiful. It would be more impressive to me if someone was acknowledged for how they found true peace of mind, how forgiving someone is, or how compassionate a person behaves.

Superficial Qualities Are Glorified 

Being pretty is glorified over being kind, and this is not only wrong, it's incredibly disheartening. It genuinely makes me sad that being beautiful seems to receive more praise than being kind to others. Magazines dedicate entire issues to being one of the "Hot 100" hottest people in Hollywood. What about a list about the top 100 smartest? Kindest? Peaceful? Where are those lists?

If we saw more of those lists, the kinds reinforcing internal characteristics, I bet things in our society would be perceived differently.

 It Sends The Wrong Message

When we place physical beauty on a pedestal it sends the wrong message to not only everyone, it sends the wrong message to kids. The last thing children should be worrying about as they grow up is if they are physically appealing. These messages make it seem like if you're not beautiful, you are in some way failing.

While this could not be further from the truth, if you see something all the time, it's hard not to take it to heart. While we can play a role in encouraging and reinforcing the value of children's inner beauty, our efforts will constantly be undermined by the prevalence of the media.

My mother once gave me a piece of advice and it was this: When you're old, no one is going to remember how beautiful you were. People are going to remember you by your actions and opinions. "Beauty" does not fall into one category, although we may have been made to think otherwise. "Beautiful" is open to interpretation.

We should celebrate our inner beauty, no matter how cliche this may sound. We may not get to choose how we look but we can choose how to act, and through our actions we can behave beautifully. We can actively make an effort to be kind, compassionate, brave, and intelligent.

I hope that one day the value that is placed onto physical appearances shifts elsewhere. Being a funny, engaging, and kind human being is something to be remembered and valued for. Our inner characteristics are what make us beautiful and the physical is just extra.