"Researchers have found
that a profile photo on Facebook tells viewers all they need to know to
form an impression of someone and virtually no words are necessary." (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2113106/Facebook-friends-judge-what-say.html)
This process will take anywhere from 25 minutes to 1.5 hours depending upon A. if I'm feeling skinny that day (the skinnier I feel, the quicker this goes- skinny makes anything look great) B. How much homework I am trying to avoid (the more work I have, the longer I will take to ponder my outfit) and C. what look I want my next set of Facebook pictures to embody.
A younger more insecure version of myself would tell you that my Facebook is an authentic account of my life, but it turns out that most of my friends, distant relatives, and acquaintances form their opinions about who I am and how great my life is through my Facebook pictures- and that changes things.
Life after you make this realization is just downright stressful.
You find yourself boosting, sharpening, and editing every profile picture you put up because this one picture screams how perfect you are to the entire Facebook community. "What outfit will make everyone think I make impeccable fashion decisions?" runs through my head on my Saturday night wardrobe escapades far before I think about more logical things such as, "what will I be comfortable in?" or "Will boys think I'm attractive?" (< Let's be real, we dress to impress other girls because a tight black dress will win the guys over time and time again).
And then lets consider the hours a week that are spent alternating between stalking yourself and seeing how great you look in comparison to your friends' perfectly edited and crafted Facebook page. The race to project this fake perfect life never ends because of the endless comparisons Facebook provides us with. There will always be a profile that leads you to believe she is richer, prettier, smarter, more cultured, or any other choice adjective you would like to embody than you.
I mean doesn't anyone consider the fact that you can sit and stalk half of the female population at Carolina and come to the conclusion that we are a glamorous, well dressed, and beautiful group of girls.... and then compare this to what everyone looks like the 90 percent of their lives that aren't documented on Facebook (going to class, dinner on Franklin, etc)? And WOW- this is not the princess I've been stalking on Facebook all lecture! Do you own clothes that aren't Nike shorts and a T-shirt? Are you hungover, or is that just how your face looks without makeup? Why aren't you as unique and interesting as your Facebook pictures tell me you are?
I legitimately think as a 20-something girl, we strive for Facebook royalty: a life of looking absolutely fabulous to the outside world even if our real lives consist of sitting in our apartment on a Saturday night and eating chocolate because we have a 10 page paper due, our boyfriend just dumped us, and we are now feeling somewhat psycho because some other Facebook goddess is posting pictures with him.
Being a gen Y, we don't just have to worry about adjusting to life at a new college, in a new town, or at a new job. We have to deal with all of this while simultaneously showing everyone what an amazing time we are having during these awkward transitions.
The pressure to be glamorous is on more than ever at this
age, and we've become addicted to showcasing how "perfect" we are
despite the fact that deep down, we know our Facebook personas are pretty
much full of sh**.
But this is only one of the countless pressures we now face while aging in the digital age, so as always- more commentaries are to come.
Until next time
-F
