SNOWFLAKES AND SOCIAL LIFE

"AS SNOWFLAKES MOVE THROUGH THE AIR, THEY GROW AND FORM INTO DIFFERNET SHAPES. DURING THIS GROWTH, THEY ALSO ENCOUNTER A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT MICROENVIRONMENTS."; PHOTO BY RYAN WEBER

Snowflakes and Social Life

As snowflakes move through the air, they grow and form into different shapes. During this growth, they also encounter a plethora of different microenvironments. This phenomenon explains the fact that no two snowflakes are the same. This also applies to people. 

No one will ever live the exact life that you do. Someone might have similar circumstances, but they will never experience the exact same thing, whether those circumstances are good or bad. Just like how the environments affect the snowflakes, experiences affect us. Some people grew up with happy memories of their family spending time together, celebrating birthdays, or going on vacations. Someone else might have grown up in an abusive household, with constant yelling and arguments. It could be much more simple, like being an only child opposed to having two siblings. Either way, these events ultimately will shape a person’s life as they grow up. So why is it so normalized to want to be the same? 

Falling Into One

When a snowflake falls into others, the individuality fades. Once it hits the ground, it's gone. It’s impossible for it to go back to the way it was. We as individuals can’t let that happen to us. Once you let go of that individuality, it’s almost impossible to get it back. Much too often people fall into the rabbit hole of wanting to change the things about themselves that make them stand out. But we all know every snowflake is different, so why wouldn’t we want to be different? 

Social Media

There’s hundreds of different studies about how social media affects mental health, and I’m sure many of you are tired of hearing about it. Unfortunately, it's such a big issue that the hundred’s of studies are necessary. It’s become so normalized to want to be like everyone else. It’s completely understandable to look up to someone, but when people are spending hundreds of dollars to look like or be similar to others, or hating themselves, it becomes a problem. Also, the media is incredibly fake. Luckily people are more aware of this now, but I still know so many people including myself that criticize their personalities or looks because they would rather be like someone else. 

Anonymous Story

The day of homecoming I was sitting in front of my mirror, and I thought, “I love myself. I’m so beautiful, I don’t know why I would ever criticize myself." This was before I had put makeup on, or done my hair or anything fancy. It was just me, the exact way I look everyday. In that moment I was so happy with myself. 

When I came home from homecoming that night I cried. I was mad at myself for caring so much about how a particular guy might have thought about what I looked like that night. I was mad that I cared so much about what other people thought of me. The day after homecoming, I sat in my bed feeling bad for myself for hours. 

I did barely anything that day, only took a shower and ate lunch. I sat in front of that mirror again, this time, mad about how I looked. Why wasn’t my face naturally beautiful? Why did I feel so bad about myself after I took my makeup off? Why isn’t my hair prettier? Why can’t I be better? Twelve hours earlier, I had been sitting in the same spot, looking in the same mirror and feeling grateful for everything I had. I was so focused on what others thought of me, that it ruined my homecoming. Even now, I have times where I’m not happy with how I look. But whenever that happens, I think of all the amazing things I have. I think about all the features about myself that make me, me. I personally am religious, so I think about how the lord handpicked the features I have, and how upset he is when I think I’m ugly. I have people who surround me with positivity, and I know our years-long friendships aren’t about how I look, they’re about my personality and positive memories we’ve made. The “particular guy” in question later mentioned how amazing I looked at homecoming, and apologized for not talking to me more during the dance. In short, I sulked in bed for a day all for nothing, just because I was so caught up in what others thought of me. We can’t let the worry of someone potentially judging how we look ruin those important moments. 

Changing is part of living. Everyone goes through changes, whether they view those changes as good or bad. We need to embrace our individuality, rather than suppress it. Why would anyone need to be like anyone else? Truly and honestly, why? No one's life is perfect, so why would we want someone else’s problems for ourselves? 

If you or someone you know may put their lives in danger for any reason, please contact the listed helpline: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline-988