I am changing the way I post photos on social media. I will be noting if an image has been edited/altered. This includes filters that may change the appearance of my face/body.

I won’t be labelling images as altered if the editing is to the background or is for discretion - ie to obscure stuff that may get me banned .

Whilst I enjoy filters & editing for fun/creation, I can’t help but feel they are also insidious in our current culture & personally for my headspace.

I feel like filters have become a little sneaky. They don’t announce they are filters anymore - they are subtle (or not so) but present as something that could be real (should you be one of those lucky to be blessed with those kind of “great” genes).

When filters/editing are done for “perfecting” bodies by removing every perceived imperfection, plasticising skin, enlarging eyes & lips, & turning the human form into something akin to a doll...

By then presenting this altered image as real, I can see it contributing to the perpetuation of negative body image because for the most part that seems pretty unattainable. Well, it feels that way to me anyway.

I already feel like there is this constant barrage to present as “perfect” appearance wise - particularly in my industry. Attempting to live up to that is bloody exhausting. I’v never really felt “main stream/conventionally” attractive.

I’m ageing which brings all that ageing does. I have intense dark circles that rarely if ever go away. I have scars, cellulite & stretch marks (no, I didn’t carry a child to “earn” my stripes). I have a belly that refuses to give up its treasure no matter how fit I become.

For me, when I look at a human body, I’m drawn to the things that are most often considered imperfections. I want to see the life lived through that body. I want to read it like a book of adventures.
To run my eyes and hands over all the nuances that is that body.

I adore that I have grey hairs coming through and that I can see living on my face (lines, wrinkles - all those things). See for me, that is also beautiful. I’d love to see more of this in the images I see here.