magazines change my self image

[CuJo1992]

Now that the summer is here, I’ve been reading more magazines that I usually do. There are two types that I like the most when I’m lounging around and relaxing: fashion and beauty, and diet and health.

I’ve noticed recently that these actually change the way I feel about myself! When I read fashion and beauty mags, I feel like my clothing is out of style and ugly, I feel fat, and I feel like everyone else will have the hair and makeup of the season, and I’ll just have my old standards because I’m not comfortable trying new colors every day.

But when I read diet and health magazines, I feel more positive, like I can make natural efforts to help my body, and like I can be beautiful without being a size 2 (which is good because I’ll never be a size 2).

Pay attention to what you’re reading. It might be distorting the way you think about yourself and others!

[bruceH]

They do have this impact. I read a study not too long ago that shows that people who watch porn think less of their partners afterward. It's all what we're exposed to and what we're "told" to want.

[ChristySmiles]

I’ve noticed recently that these actually change the way I feel about myself! When I read fashion and beauty mags, I feel like my clothing is out of style and ugly, I feel fat, and I feel like everyone else will have the hair and makeup of the season, and I’ll just have my old standards because I’m not comfortable trying new colors every day.

I know what you mean! Whenever I read that kind of magazine, I feel like everything I own isn't good enough.

But it's designed that way on purpose. The whole point to those magazines is to please the advertisers, and they're only happy when they generate sales, so they write the articles to make you want to buy the products.

[chefmel]

Maybe now that you’ve recognized the problem, you can start either changing the magazines that you read or just remaining more conscious of the fact that they have this impact on you so that you can keep that in mind while you read them.

It might just be enough to know that it is the advertising or the way that the articles are written that are meant to drive you to buy products, so that you don’t take them quite as seriously or literally. That could mean that you can still enjoy them but not actually be so hard on yourself.

Or, you can be like me and just read cooking magazines haha.

[bonniekins]

I really like reading beauty and fashion magazines. The trick is not to take them to seriously. After all, they're just talking about trends in clothing, makeup, hair, etc. They're not talking about the meaning of life or something truly important.

You need to look at it in the same way that you look at a TV program you enjoy. It's something that you can find fun, but not something that tells you how you should actually live. It's only one opinion and it's a pretty extreme perspective since it's just one article after the next on how you should change yourself.

So read it for fun, but don't read it like it's a bible or a guide to life!

There. Rant done

[legendarytroy]

Magazines are just big marketing publications. All they're there for is to make you think that you suck so that you'll buy more products. That means that more advertisers will want to pay them and the demand will jack up the price and they'll earn even more.

Even when you think you're reading an informational article, you're just reading an ad that has been created in a sneaky way so that you'll be tricked into thinking that it's some kind of objective piece. Instead, it's an article to make you think you're fat so you'll buy some super fruit supplement or exercise equipment, that you're full of toxins, so you'll get a detox kit, or that you're ugly so you'll buy makeup or clothing.

[anne]

What's really bad is when you look at the size 0 models and judge them for looking "heavy" in something! I'm guilty!

[chefmel]

What's really bad is when you look at the size 0 models and judge them for looking "heavy" in something! I'm guilty!

It really is! I do it, too. It's terrible that you think that other people should be less judgmental, but then you find yourself thinking that those models - who aren't much bigger than coat hangers - are looking plump in something. I remember that I even judged tyra banks when she gained a bit of weight a few years ago. I'm willing to bet I still weighed twice as much as her!

We need a way to break out of our reality impairment!

[Tiff]

It's not just magazines do this. It's television, too. Have a look at the tv shows that you watch and check out the people that you find attractive. I'd be willing to bet that they're all far slimmer than the average person and are likely a little bit too low on the BMI scale for good health. But we've been programmed to like that!

[Lydiapurple]

I know they are good and making you feel crappy you just have to remember that they have had 6 hrs of hair and make-up with professionals before that photoshoot and then of course PHOTOSHOP. Booerns lol

[Lydiapurple]

Have a look at the tv shows that you watch and check out the people that you find attractive. I'd be willing to bet that they're all far slimmer than the average person and are likely a little bit too low on the BMI scale for good health. But we've been programmed to like that!

Oh yes they are tiny in real life! Being from SO Cal I have seen a few and I swear they are all about 90 -110 lbs even though on screen they look bigger. And most of these starlets are about 5'2". Even most of the men are only around 160- ish lbs and shorter then what you would think. The screen adds size it's shocking!!

[tracy1976]

I know they are good and making you feel crappy you just have to remember that they have had 6 hrs of hair and make-up with professionals before that photoshoot and then of course PHOTOSHOP. Booerns lol

Good point! Those aren't even real people anymore. They're carefully edited people. I wish I could walk around with an airbrush artist fixing my figure haha

[tankini]

I wish I could walk around with an airbrush artist fixing my figure haha

YOu and me both! My goal is just to be thin and normal looking enough for "real life." lol