#LoveYourself
Since we have the possibility of uploading content to social networks, the things we share have changed a lot. During the golden age of Facebook, photos of trips, moments with friends or important events were uploaded and used as a kind of memory album, which was suitable for all kinds of audiences. Today, both Instagram and Twitter are plagued with photos of men and women showing off their physical attributes, some claiming to be proud of themselves, others not, and others making ridiculously bizarre excuses to upload a photo.
Whatever the case, most try to pretend (sometimes they make it clear verbatim) that they don't care what people think about them and their photos. The truth is that, when we publish a photo, as the word itself indicates, we make it public. "Sharing" a photo is not something you do for yourself, but it is always done for others. The question is, why? Why do we want to be seen?
There are many reasons and they depend on each individual. Some people do it because they need the approval of the other and it can be a conscious or unconscious desire. Uploading a photo asking "like if you think I'm cute" is a clear example of a search for conscious recognition. Others hide a little more, putting in the caption things like "I look awful" or "I hate myself", after uploading an aesthetically perfect photo. This is an unconscious search for recognition and approval of the other. People who really hate themselves can't even take a picture of themselves, certainly not upload it.
It is important to clarify that, this approval that is sought, is not necessarily that of the opposite sex. Among women, for example, there is a lot of competition. Many girls who upload photos in their underwear are not interested in men's comments in the least, but they do love to have their friends congratulate them on the photos because, in a way, they feel their approval. Others upload this kind of photos to tell their followers how good they feel about their body and how much they accept themselves as they are. This is dangerous because, even though at first glance it looks like something positive and can motivate many people to improve their self-esteem, some people believe that having good self-esteem is synonymous with uploading a photo showing your body. "If you don't get excited, don't worry. Someday you will, when you accept yourself and love yourself enough."
No!
Uploading a picture like that has nothing to do with having self-esteem. Having good self-esteem is feeling good about yourself and it comes when you no longer need to seek other people's approval to be happy. It is something that is achieved gradually and individually. Resorting to recognition in the networks often produces the opposite effect because of the negative comments that, sooner or later, will appear.
Uploading photos with few clothes is not bad, it's not wrong. Whatever you do, it's always good to ask yourself why you do it and for whom you do it. Being aware of what you are doing is very important to start getting to know yourself a little bit better.