The Curse of Looking Average: Why You Should Forget It
Many of us constantly assess ourselves against perceived averages, particularly when it comes to appearance. However, the "average" we see is often a distorted reflection of reality, leading to feelings of inadequacy. This article explores why you should disregard the pressure to conform to this false sense of average and embrace your unique beauty.
Defining Average
According to Merriam-Webster, average means being midway between extremes or not out of the ordinary. Statistically, the average (or arithmetic mean) is calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of items. Under a standard normal distribution, the average aligns with the median (middle point) and mode (most frequent point). However, in reality, appearance distribution is skewed.
The Skewed Reality of Attractiveness
The average level of attractiveness is often not representative of a true midpoint. In a positively skewed distribution, a few exceptionally attractive individuals (the mode) inflate the average to an unrealistic level. This means the average no longer reflects the middle ground. We often believe that these "super attractive outliers" represent the true average because they are frequently showcased by social media and marketing. Furthermore, enhancements once exclusive to professional settings are now widely accessible, blurring the lines between natural and artificial beauty.
Five Reasons to Forget Adhering to the Average
Here are five key reasons to move beyond the obsession with achieving an artificial "average" appearance:
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Artificial Natural Beauty: The lines between reality and illusion are increasingly blurred. Social media, while seemingly offering authentic glimpses into people's lives, often features heavily filtered and edited images. From celebrities to everyday users, digital enhancements are rampant, pushing the perceived average of natural beauty to unattainable heights.
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Putting Yourself at a Disadvantage: Comparing your 100% natural face to photoshopped, filtered, and touched-up faces is like "biking against a Ferrari." This comparison initiates a dangerous cycle of constantly chasing an ever-evolving and unrealistic average.
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Homogeneity of Beauty Sells: Due to the algorithm on social media, beauty in the modern age is becoming more and more homogenous. This can lead younger users to believe their natural features aren't beautiful and desire to lose their original features to lean closer to the so called "normalcy".
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Futurism and Diversity: Despite improvements, the definition of beauty remains narrow and lacking in diversity, still favoring Eurocentric beauty standards. This creates feelings of alienation and drives the desire to buy into the promise of reaching and surpassing average beauty, even though the algorithm serves the illusion that they are abnormal.
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No One is the Average: It's important to remember that the concept of "average" is a statistical abstraction. A contest in 1945 seeking a woman with perfectly average measurements found no one who matched on all nine factors. We cannot be simply defined by a number derived from a large sum. Celebrities, influencers, and TikTok users with AI filters are not the average.
Embracing Your Unique Worth
Ultimately, there is no limit to your worth, including your attractiveness, impact, drive, and character. Confidence shines through regardless of physical attributes. Remember, you are not average; you are better than that.