The Chase for Perfection

The Chase for Perfection Social media brings us together, but also pushes us apart. How do we achieve that fine balance of keeping in touch with friends without getting too far into our own heads? The author explores her own experience. BY SANDRA MOEY

day. The illusion of my “ideal life” that I try so hard to maintain is thanks to peer pressure , to please (ironically) the same “friends” that break me internally.

et me ask you a question. What is your definition of perfection ? Most importantly, how does one achieve it? In my eyes, perfection is a myth. However, the people who follow me on my social media platforms won’t know that. Why, you ask? because they only see the “best parts” of me, online. The tip of the iceberg. L

There is a formula for the virtual “perfect life.” Like others, I follow the three crucial steps; first, I plaster a smile on my face. Then, I give the illusion of a petite figure by sucking in air to make my stomach seem flat, with the aid of Photoshop. Lastly, I only go to “bougie” places like the 360 Restaurant in the CN Tower to take aesthetically pleasing photos - not for the food or the experience.

As terrifying as it may sound, my self-worth is determined by only one factor: the number of “likes” I receive on social media. Kahlil Gibran, a famous LebaneseAmerican writer, once said, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” However, I can’t help but feel that what he said cannot be further from the truth… because the reality is, people only care about appearances, money and power. Like capitalism, it’s what makes the world go round.

My “friends” have never shown interest in getting to know the real me. Their likes and superficial comments that falsely hype me up are just obligations that they tick off from their “I’m a good friend” checklist. They have never bothered to know my personality, fears, or ambitions... the important parts that make me, me. On rare occasions, if I shared my flaws with them due to a lapse in judgement, I would receive 50 shades of piercing stares the next When I was sixteen, I used to believe that my “friends” were genuinely happy for my accomplishments in life, whether it be that I graduated from school or for eating ice-cream. But I soon realized that behind every nice comment they posted, lay hidden a poisonous venom called envy . However, if it weren’t for their negativity and hypocrisy, I would still be chasing the myth of “perfection” caused by the plague called obsession , to prove my self-worth. Most of all, I wouldn’t have realized that there are people out there who really care for me. I would have pushed away my family and real friends away, that have been with me through thick and thin.

As cliché as it may sound, I realize now, three years later, that it is important to cherish the valuable things in life. Popularity and adoration online will never be worth pushing away the people closest to me, who will always be there for me when others won’t. I much rather be imperfectly perfect, but at least I’ll be happy. MM

SANDRA MOEY is a first-year English and professional writing major. Find her on Instagram at @san.dcm