It may be pointing out the obvious… BUT The internet has totally changed the human race forever…

We can literally go online and search for anything we want to find, we can find local restaurants, search for personal trainers, order clothes online (and wear them the next day!), book holidays, meet our future partner, get medical advice, Skype our friends in a different country etc, etc. It’s pretty incredible!

Downsides To The Internet

Whilst there are many positives to the internet there are also downsides too, for example, whilst there’s a lot of useful information, there’s also lots of rubbish too. Literally anybody can start a fitness blog, or create a website, and say whatever they want – it can be misleading, and it’s hard to know who to trust and which sources are valid, and which aren’t.

Social Media Influencers

Also, in this new digital age, we’ve created a new species that call themselves Instagrammers, fitness models and Youtubers. Lots of these social influencers live their lives online, constantly basing their identity on how many ‘like’ and ‘followers’ they have, and how much money they can make. There’s an entire culture of people living this way, constantly searching for that next high: another follower, another like, more money, etc…

Acceptance

The internet age is here, and it’s not going away anytime soon. To an extent we’ve got to come to terms with this new world and the way it is. It is however a pretty scary thought of what the future may hold, especially for the younger generation.

It’s important that we look after one another, and still interact, not only online, like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but also face-to-face too. We still need to make an effort to go out of the house, for example grabbing a coffee with friends, or going into a clothing store and actually trying on outfits, rather than just ordering them online. We are social creatures and we need real human contact – it’s important for the soul.

Pressure On Women

The way women look at their bodies has never been an easy topic. Even the years prior to the Internet, and Snapchat, women were under pressure to look a certain way. Look at the influences of Hollywood beauties, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, to name but a few.

The internet has only exacerbated the problem. Young women spend lots of money on the latest beauty products, have plastic surgery, buy designer handbags, and spend hours in the gym, trying to sculpt a slim figure – all just to get respect from their peers, and attract members of the opposite sex. It can be exhausting, and it’s not good for mental health.

Take Pride In Your Appearance But Don’t Base Your Entire Identity On Your Looks

Don’t get me wrong it’s good to take pride in how you look, it’s great to workout and take care of your body – by consuming healthy, nutritious foods. BUT don’t take it to the extreme, You don’t need to work out every day to have a happy life and to be accepted. It’s ok to have a day off the gym, to have days when you treat yourself to a relaxing facial or massage, order a pizza, eat popcorn at the movies – you’re human and there’s much more to you than your looks.

As well as investing time into improving your external image, make-sure to spend just as much time working on the inside. Read books that make you laugh, and inspire you. Keep a journal, write down your feelings. Learn a different language. Let your hair down, go bowling, take a long, adventurous walk – with no plan as to where you’re going to end up. BUT most importantly… learn to love and accept yourself for the awesome human being you are.

A Hopeful Future…

There is hope, and there are lots of positive resources to check out online, for example Bodyposipanda and The Vagaggle and Melanie Murphy and Charlotte Kuhrt – and many, many more. These women are slowly changing the way we view ourselves. They’re changing peoples perceptions for the better.

Rebecca is a translator by day, and a traveler mostly at night. She’s an expert on living with jet lag – and packing in tiny suitcases. You can read more of her exploits at RoughDraft.