By Rebecca Brown
With the world of social media swiping us all away, it’s not a surprise to find out that we’re being influenced by celebrities and Instagram influencers more than ever before.
The world of sales is seeing its peak with free (and also paid) advertising on Instagram, Facebook or even YouTube from influencers – because they do influence people – but also from none other than famous people. There’s always a new product or service being shoved in our faces, endorsed by one of the important people, and we’re tough but not made of steel – it’s likely we’ll fail and end up buying something because we saw the cool kids using or wearing it. It’s also why being influenced by others shouldn’t come as a shock to you, the marketing industry has been here for many, many years. It’s just taken a different mask nowadays.
You look at these celebrities, how they’re doing in life, and you think to yourself – “I need to be like this; I need to buy that; I need to wear that”. It’s a constant battle to do more, do better. Mimic them because they’re famous. But at what cost?
Why You Do Not Need to Look Like A Celebrity Mom:
Reason number 1, you’re not a celebrity mom. Most of what we see of celebrities on social media is curated, filtered, airbrushed and photoshopped. What we think is “real life” can often be an unrealistic version. It’s important to separate the fact from fiction, and take all those images and perspectives of celebrities with a grain of salt and not allow those media messages to become what we judge ourselves by. Which brings us to the next point.
Reason number 2, your life is only yours. Don’t fall into the trap of comparison. Do not let yourself be influenced by what other moms are wearing or what places they’re visiting. It’s an amazing thing to be able to search for information and have so many different voices and outlets to find answers to your problems, especially if you’re a first-time mom. On the other hand, being consumed by everyone else and feeling like a failure is not good and won’t do any good to your self-esteem either. Get to know new brands and services through the celebrity moms you follow but don’t feel forced to buy them. It’s important to want the best for your baby and to try to give them the best you can, but you definitely don’t need a specific brand to make you a better mother.
Reason number 3, being a great mom is not about what you look like. What you look like is not in any way related to how good of a mother you are or how well you’re capable of treating your child. Your baby will love you no matter what, and if you’re concerned about their safety and well-being, you’re already doing great. Maternity involves a lot of trial and error, but it doesn’t include your current fashion style or hairdo.
Why It’s Good to Sometimes Think Like a Celebrity Mom:
Thinking like a celebrity mom is a whole different ball game, especially those who openly talk about their motherhood journey in a healthy way. Here’s why.
Perhaps because of the endless pressure from media for them to look a certain way and be spokespeople about different aspects of motherhood, celebrity moms often think about and comment on their health, appearance, and well-being. They make it a priority in their lives. They’re aware (and most of the time, unapologetically so) that they should feel good first to give their babies the best they can. Taking care of your body as well as your mind and wellbeing is absolutely important and is a key ingredient when looking after your child.
Putting yourself and your needs first is not a bad thing, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing so. When you are feeling your best it means you are in the best position to take care of your baby. So ignore the pressure to look like a celebrity mom, but prioritizing your needs whenever you can is, in fact, something to take on board. Treat yourself! Go to the gym or workout at home when your baby’s sleeping, go get a facial or a massage. Self care is important. You’ve just gone through an amazing miracle and you’re in charge of your body. You’re the one who decides what to do with it.
Choose yourself…
In the end, you have the power. Do what you feel is best for you as a mother and as a woman. Just remember that you don’t have to feel pressured by what others are doing because we’re all just doing our best with what we have. Embrace who you are and don’t take the media “advice” too seriously when it comes to body image.
I’m Rebecca Brown, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.
