Perfectly Imperfect is the newest feature from Sulsworld, where he meets some of the most influential and inspirational women online, to find out their thoughts on how the power of online media is impacting the way in which women think, feel and behave, both positively and negatively. With the ever present crazy of online media, there is a constant pressure both men but predominately women to conform to the perfect image that society has crafted. Let’s read what these awesome women think about the topic and how online media has affected their lives. Hopefully, you can relate to their stories and find inspiration and courage from their words.

Please introduce yourself :

Michelle, 18(haha), London bound blogger and content creator.

So it’s fair to say that you’re one of the original make-up and fashion bloggers. How do you think social media has changed the whole blogging industry since you began?

When I began blogging, social media wasn’t alive and kicking like it is today. Most of us blogged because it was enjoyable, there was no such thing as brand collaborations or sponsored content, but as social media grew it definitely shone a spotlight on bloggers, which in tern allowed us to grow, and has given many the chance to team up with brands on a regular basis. You could say that social media has turned a hobby into a dream job for most bloggers.

At the moment we’re seeing so much information thrown at women on how to lose weight, get the perfect body or take all these different weight loss pills. I’ve read your ‘My Calvins – Body Confidence’ post, which is great. Now my question to you is, do you think women should feel comfortable in their own skin or should they do whatever it takes to reach a goal they’ve set themselves?

I definitely feel that it is important not to get too caught up in what we see online, and its unrealistic expectations of “what is perfect”. For years, we were told not to pay attention to magazines, as images were airbrushed to perfection, and images online are exactly the same. I mean there’s apps that will make your booty bigger, teeth whiter and give you skin to die for. If you constantly strive to be like “the girl in the picture” you’ll be fighting a losing battle, the girl in the picture doesn’t even look like the girl in the picture. Women should definitely feel comfortable in their own skin as we are all beautiful in our own way, but I also don’t see any problem with setting realistic goals for yourself as long as it is for yourself and it makes you happy.

Social media has brought out a new wind of constant self-criticism. You’ve mentioned in one of your articles that you personally went through a period of questioning your own beauty. How were you able to get yourself out of such a mindset and regain your confidence in you inner/outer beauty?

Being in the beauty/fashion sector of blogging can be quite hard at times. My Instagram explore feed is filled with nothing but beautiful girls, which can sometimes be a bit daunting if you’re having an off day. It got to a point where I took a step back from social media, and I had to ask myself the following question. ” Did you feel like this before you were on social media?” the answer to that question was obviously no, so I just kind of moved forward from there. I still get my of down days, but on those days, I log off Instagram and step away from my phone.

I think we’ve all heard the stories of stalkers online, which turn into a much bigger issue. What is the worst experience you’ve had due to online media, how did you deal with it and what advice can you give to other girls to prevent them going through a similar situation? 

*TOUCH WOOD* Luckily for me I’ve not experienced anything extreme on social media. The most I’ve had is the odd annoying comment, and I just block, ignore and get on with my day.

What key pieces of advice would you give to women struggling with confidence due to the way they look on social media?

Take time to feel confident in yourself before you put yourself into an area that may affect your confidence even more. Everyone has their own uniqueness and that is what will separate you from everyone else. Don’t feel like you need to conform to fit in.

Finally, what will be the difference between the Michelle of 2016 and the Michelle of 2017?

Who knows…as long as I strive to be the best that I can be, hopefully, the differences will fall in along the way.

Photos were taken by Rio Blake

Perfectly Imperfect w/ Michelle