I hate how social media has influenced teenagers to be fake. When we scroll through social media we see people who are flawless, we compare ourselves to it, forgetting there is such a thing as filters.

In reality there are rare shows that encourage teenagers to be who they are and remind them that it is okay to be imperfect, instead of letting them accept themselves they tell them who they should be. This has resulted in a low self-confidence for many teenagers.

The damage cannot be undone. But I still believe that we can save the coming generation by launching new shows and writing articles that inspire humans to be themselves. It is so unbelievable that society believes that having a dark coloured skin actually means that one is ugly. Not that I am against light coloured skin, but dark coloured skin too should be considered beautiful.

I remember one day when I was jogging I passed these group of people and I still can’t absorb what they said to me. They told me that if I continue running maybe my skin colour will be light. That didn’t discourage me but then again I ran past other guys who told me that I should stop running since it will make me uglier and more dark. I wondered what’s wrong with being dark. I spent so many days crying, feeling unwanted and unattractive.

It didn’t only end there, I was also bullied at school. A boy told me that I’m so ugly and no one wants to be my friend. I had suicidal thoughts because of it.

Until I stood up for myself. I looked at myself at the mirror and told myself that I can’t continue living like this. I smiled at the mirror for the first time, I saw myself as beautiful. I no longer cared what the society thought about my skin colour. I started accepting myself for who I was. I fell in love with my skin colour.
I wish people can also be comfortable in their own skin and body. We should all feel comfortable in our own bodies there’s nothing wrong with having a thick skin or a thin skin at the end, we’re all people. We should just live like human beings by accepting each other the way we are without any judgement. Being natural is also beauty. You don’t need anyone to remind or tell you that you are beautiful just tell yourself. Even if it means looking yourself at the mirror every day and reminding yourself how beautiful you are, then let it be.

Let us change the way we use social media. Let’s try to use it to influence our lives in a positive way. Beauty is within.

Tell us: Do you feel comfortable in your own skin?