#NoFilter

Social Media has made us all models

Taking photographs with exact angles

And perfect filters

Cleaning up the mistakes we see on ourselves

Deleting the rejects

Because no one is allowed to see us in our truest form

Nobody lives life with a Valencia filter

Some of us have acne

Deal with it

But we can’t

We can’t stand the smallest imperfections

So we crop them out

We blur the face given to us

Because we see ourselves as ugly

Hideous beings that have to be perfect

We create our own masks

Then share them with the world

Praying for validation

And with each like

With each comment

We sink deeper into the pit of self-hate

Because it just shows how people would rather see you in black and white

Than see the real you

Instagram is meant for sharing photos instantly

It’s in the name

Yet we spend hours fixing every small detail

That might be noticed and commented on

God forbid anyone see the pimple on your nose

It’s not like they won’t see it the next day at school

These photos create monsters

Power hungry individuals

Giving themselves the face they want

Rather than understanding they are beautiful the way they are

And while burn victims live with half a face

And war veterans wear their scars in public

We hide our zits

Believing we have it worse than anyone else

I may be a hypocrite

I’ve spent more time than I am proud of

Using that blemish-removing tool

So I can look at myself without feeling insecure

Insecure about myself because all of these other people have the perfect profile picture

While I can’t help but stare at that one dot on my chin

That small dot that makes me feel so utterly self-conscience

That I can’t bear to look at myself

So I blur these mistakes

I add one of those filters

Trying to make myself look like a happier version of myself

While I’m really making myself feel even worse

No filter can make a difference

We all know what hides behind the editing that took place

And the few times we post our true selves

The #NoFilter posts

We believe we have made a huge statement

But why can’t this be the norm

Why can’t a picture with a few blemishes

Be seen as beautiful

One small imperfection means nothing in the big picture

Just the insignificant ones you take yourself

Our obsession with tweaking our faces until we are unrecognizable needs to end

We’ll all end up with wrinkles and age spots one day

Learn to live with your imperfections

They are what make us unique

Once we crop them out

We’ve cropped out our individuality

I’m not saying the occasional touch-up isn’t allowed

But when we rely on these tools for every photo we take

We miss out on the more important things in life

Snap a quick pic

Put the phone down

And live the life you have in the moment

Instagram should be used to save the quick memories

While the important ones are saved inside of us

Stop wasting your life choosing that one filter

Life doesn’t have filters

Be raw and unchanged

Be yourself

Stop wearing your mask

And show the world that you are proud of the face you have

It’s the only one you have

Wear it with dignity