November 21, 2017, CUD: Have you ever wondered why we think it is important to always look our best? What are the results if we don’t?
Students in Dr. Franziska’s Promotional Techniques class have been examining this question as part of their studies. Why must we always be so particular about our appearance? Is it because it makes us feel better or rather, is it because we want to make a good impression on those around us?
Sometimes the pressure to look good can take over from the things that are more important to us in our daily lives. As a challenge to these concepts the students have been researching the effects of not looking our best by taking part in an ‘Ugly Day’. They have decided to see what happens if they turn up in old clothing, no make-up and appearing the way they look first thing in the morning.
They intend to prove that ‘Ugly is beautiful.’ By just being themselves and not making any effort to impress others they want to gauge the impressions of others.
If we contribute to the theory that beauty is only skin deep this can lead to a very superficial society where the appearance of the person seems more important than the nature of the person.
These impressions come from various sources including both mass and social media. The challenge should be to ‘look at me as I am rather than conforming to society’s expectations.
Dr. Fran has encouraged to students to be themselves for the day and enjoy the experience of ‘just being you.’
Conforming to the expectations of others puts a lot of pressure on individuals and can lead to issues such as depression and feelings of inadequacy. There is a feeling that we are sometimes too reliant on the opinions of others and that compliments can buy happiness. This is true to a certain extent but neglects other more simple ways to maintain self-esteem.
Some class members felt that it is only by trying initiatives like this that we can find our true friends who accept us as we are and not how we look, realizing that a less than perfect appearance does not lead to poorer work output.
In a media driven society the pressure to look good has financial implications as well, a further reason to have more pressure put upon ourselves.
So, students in the class turned up not looking their best but hopefully with a greater feeling of inner confidence and with the attitude of ‘let’s make ugly fun.'
Speaking in the class they commented that this was a reminder for others to be what and accept what they are. Which is important, make up or the project deadline I have to meet? They also felt that without a perfect appearance they felt different and that people treated them differently.
One of the students even said that her friend was shocked at her appearance. It is important to accept who you are with all your imperfections as this is the true you.
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