"Spell pharaoh"
The importance of having non-superficial hobbies
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A wise woman once said: “Spell pharaoh” and all hell broke loose. Well, not exactly…
Content creator, Serena Shahidi posted a TikTok video in the spring of 2021 where she stated that confidence should be based on more than just our physical appearances. At the time, Shahidi received lots of backlash for this. People claimed that her video was “racist” and “misogynistic” and “elitist” and every version of “-ist” you can imagine. Others simply did not like the “condescending” tone of her video—fair enough. However, I fear the point of her video flew over their heads.
To spell it out: she was encouraging people to acquire hobbies outside media consumption and find things to value about ourselves besides how we look. What’s so wrong about that? As human beings, we are all worth more than just our physical appearances, right? … Right?!
WRONG (according to the media).
Societal beauty standards are constantly changing, and corporations are selling products that guarantee we’ll meet those standards. On social media people are always developing new things to be insecure about; hip dips, the width of your ribcage, the shape of your nose. Teenage girls and young women on TikTok are crying because of how they look with certain filters. And not to mention, people on social media are vicious to those who aren’t “conventionally attractive”. Hell, even those who are conventionally attractive aren’t safe from scrutiny. Remember last summer when people on Twitter randomly decided that Margot Robbie was “mid”?
Many of us (specifically, Gen Z) have become hyper-focused on physical appearances. With all this discourse around our bodies and faces, how can we not be looks-obsessed? We live in a world that never ceases to tell us how inadequate we are, and ridicules those who don’t fit into a certain standard. It’s no surprise that women risk their lives for cosmetic surgeries or that Ozempic has gained popularity. You can’t blame a person for taking drastic measures to be accepted by society. I mean, a few weeks ago, I was researching the cost of arm liposuction.
So, I’m not coming from a place of judgment. It’s hard not to succumb to the ever-changing standards of beauty in media and society. Social media releases a new “aesthetic” every month (mob wife, coquette, office siren, vanilla girl, etc.). It is impossible, and likely, exhausting to keep up with every single beauty trend. But, that is all the more reason to pour into less superficial outlets.
Shahidi imploring people to read and acquire new skills comes from a place of care. As I said, her delivery might not be your cup of tea, but her words ring true. Being an intelligent, well-rounded individual is a positive thing. How cool is it to be able to say that you can speak multiple languages or that you know how to crochet a sweater? I would argue that having hobbies, skills and interests outside of your physical appearance make you a more attractive person overall. Yes, being hot is fun and it has it benefits, but as Shahidi said in her video, “who cares?”. Hotness without any personality behind it is just a mannequin. Pretty, but dull.
I hope this post inspires you to watch Shahidi’s video with a less defensive lens. It’s easy to watch a video on social media and feel like the creator is speaking to you directly. If you feel like they are, perhaps, you need to do some self-reflection. Or, you could always scroll and keep it moving. You don’t have to respond to every post you see on the internet. Not every post on the internet is a personal attack against you. It can feel that way when you spend too much time on it. Once again, proving Shahidi’s point. Not having hobbies outside of media consumption is bad for your wellbeing. The next time a certain post on the internet upsets you, find healthier avenues to release your frustrations. That can look like; journaling, exercising, meditating, talking to a friend—anything you want! Whatever it is, make sure it forces you to step outside of your beauty-obsessed social media bubble. And more importantly, learn how to spell:
