In a world of social media, camera filters, photo editing, “magical” makeup and celebrity influencers, it can be hard to measure up. Everywhere we look there’s person after person wearing perfect makeup with expert Facetune. This can create unrealistic expectations for our own self-image.

Do we really know what is “normal” for a teenager in 2022? We tend to hyper-fixate on insecurities that most people don’t even notice. Looking at yourself in the mirror every day makes it easy to take note of our smallest imperfections. I’m sure you’ve been told at some point that other people are more worried about themselves than you. But knowing that doesn’t make the insecurities go away.

Even the models that we see in magazines and runways need help to look “perfect.” Supermodels and actors go through hours of hair and makeup done by professionals who have years of experience. On top of this, the photos that are taken of these supermodels are heavily edited to remove the natural texture of their skin and it also shapes their already conventionally attractive bodies.

It’s easy to forget that acne isn’t just something that teenagers get for a few years during puberty but rather something that can happen to any teenager or adult.

With all our insecurities we tend to turn to people we admire to give us confidence. Celebrity influencers have enough money to pay for expensive cosmetic surgeries. There is nothing necessarily wrong with cosmetic surgeries, but some celebrities don’t disclose this and promote products that they attribute to their attractiveness.

Kids get the illusion that if they buy this specific product they will be just as attractive as the celebrity endorser. So maybe think twice before buying a celebrity-sponsored beauty product.

When I asked some of my classmates about what they felt insecure about, they answered with worries such as being too fat or too skinny, having crooked teeth, being too dark or too pale, small lips, a big forehead, having bad nails, stretch marks, rough or oily skin and acne.

Maybe you’ve worried about some of these things at some point in your life. Reflect: Is there someone in your life who tends to point out these things about you? How do they make you feel? You may not always be able to remove the people from your life that make you feel bad about yourself, but you should try to not let their opinion of you shape your self-image.

The first step to being more confident is to remind yourself of all the things that you like about yourself. This is easier said than done. You may not like anything about yourself. Ask anyone because you’re not alone. Just remember that when you say, “I feel ugly,” your looks don’t determine your worth as a person.