mccxvx:

gillyweedxvx:

This could be triggering.

Oh look, an unintentionally sexy picture of me in my underwear vs. a somewhat intentional picture of me in my underwear. 

Does posting this mean I’m not still going to cry for twenty minutes while I’m trying to get dressed to go out with my friends because I literally hate every fucking thing I put on and almost decide to stay home because of it? 

Does posting this mean I’m not still going to avoid the mirror every time I go to get into the shower so I don’t have to see my disgusting legs? Or stomach? So I don’t sit in the shower and cry because I’ll never look good enough for myself? Much less someone else? 

Does posting this mean I’m not going to spend 98% of the time I’m out in public worrying about whether or not my thighs look absolutely disgusting in what I’m wearing or if my stomach is sticking out too much? 

Does posting this mean I’m not going to cry when I try to put on a pair of shorts that fit me two weeks ago and I have to lay down to button them? 

No, probably not. 

No matter how many “compliments” I receive, nothing could possibly change that. Chances are, if you have a low self-esteem, compliments generally do nothing for you at the end of the day. And even if someone DOES post something to get compliments, what’s wrong with that? Maybe they want to hear they’re beautiful or sexy because maybe they never hear it from anyone. I don’t see what’s so wrong with that. 

If I post pictures like these, sexy or not, it’s probably because, for five minutes, I feel comfortable enough to do so. I actually appreciate the way my body looks in something. So excuse me for wanting to share it with someone. Don’t fucking try to take that away from me by daring to say I have no self-respect. 

This is so on point.
I could never have said it better.

These are all logical points, branching from a root concept that is the all-too-real and equally sad state of what human self-consciousness and origins of “self-esteem” have become. It is irresponsible to ignore the fact that blogging sites such as these have become a strong force for over-sexualization and propagation of images that trigger human insecurity by constantly exposing youth and emerging adults to what society and its respective sub-cultures deem to be physically ideal. With the mainstream availability and increasingly socially accepted presence of strong sexual images, impulsive “reblogging,” and continued refining of technology, which acknowledges the concept of progress as being a faster avenue toward instant gratification, it is no wonder that males and females who participate in this constantly-moving, and largely visual-electronic culture feel intense physical insecurity, and a need for acceptance (satisfied through “likes”, and “reblogs”.) Images like these further expand upon this epidemic of physical insecurity and an overwhelming lack of self-esteem. Through physical self-exploitation, (be they born of insecurity or a lack of self-esteem, or not) these images become triggers feeding the insecurities of others etc. etc. etc. etc. 

It is my opinion that physical/sexual self-exploitation is by no means a courageous act, and contributes to the larger epidemic that is over-sexualization and physical importance in western culture. These images, particularly of females, show regression in the areas of women’s rights and sexual empowerment. They objectify the female form, and eject the greater presence of a female spirit. They propagate a demand for physical/sexual acceptance, emphasize the importance of sexual exploitation and create an unnecessary pressure among a virtual community for female members to showcase their bodies instead of their intellect, spirituality, political opinions, etc. 

As a woman, these constant and daily image updates which showcase the insecurities of my female cohort cause me to feel shameful for my peers, and for the perpetuation of technology which has put such a focus on physical and sexual acceptance. 

(via shallowxgraves)