Mirajoy Tecson

ELA 10-1
Ms. Layden
Be-you-tiful

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you truly are. Do not run marathons

after someone you are not because it's just a waste of time; don’t cry rivers of tears over being

imperfect, because we are beautiful in our individual ways. Learn how to accept yourself just the

way you are. Don’t seek validation from society, the one person you should seek validation from

is yourself. Love you, see the good in the person you are. We are all perfect and unique in our

own ways, we just need the potential to distinguish ourselves and our beauty. Embrace the fact

that no one is like you, and you are like no other. Alessia Cara’s influencing song, “Scars to

Your Beautiful” inspires and motivates us to look for the beauty in ourselves, especially for

young women who are constantly comparing themselves to others.

Alessia Cara uses her lyrics to get into the minds of young women who “craves attention”

and those who are “unnoticed,” she motivates them to find the beauty in themselves. Alessia

states “she praises an image,” alluding it indirectly to the many women who see themselves as

“less” than who they are and want to be someone “more”. Society draws down these stereotypes

of the image of a “perfect” woman, influencing many others to leave behind the old them and

chase after the “covergirl,” and many other false presentations of what a perfect woman is and

should be. Young women constantly compare themselves to one another, rather than staying true

to themselves and embracing their own beauty. As Alessia states, “she don't see her perfect, she

don't understand she's worth it,” many underestimate and belittle themselves, they don’t see their
self worth. Many talk themselves down and that is why the artist of the song dedicates it to those

many woman who feel less of a person by being them. She reminds individuals that they are

“beautiful just the way [they] are” and she also mentions that they “don't have to change a thing”

about themselves. Alessia Cara acts as a “mirror” for the young woman so they can see “clearer”

that “beauty goes deeper than the surface”. She informs her audience the difficult task and

complication of finding oneself and their self worth. Through discussing the many affects

society's standards has on young woman and by evoking us to the message that “you're beautiful

just the way you are” she portrays her message to her listeners that the most beautiful thing you

can be is yourself.

In my existence, I have encountered many women -specifically young women- who have

been conquered by society's stereotypes and demoralizing mind-set. Society holds such a

powerful influence on young women, declaring them to be “perfect”, and influencing them to be

someone who they are not like the “cover girls” that dont cry after their face is made as said in

the song. Society holds and uses this power to sculpt these women into false labels and beliefs of

who they’re supposed to be. I myself have been affected by the “expectations” of our modern

society. The surrounding trends, popularity, and the many expectations of one another has took

possession of our minds. Our society sculpts us into these images and people we don’t even

recognize. Young women with many insecurities tend to be vulnerable and frail, they disregard

their own beauty and run after others. Through social media and many influential individuals

around me, I have seen and heard of the harsh expectations of a “perfect” woman; hourglass

shaped body, small waisted, pretty faced, and a whole list of “requirements” to be one. I have
started to feel worthless and unsatisfied with myself. I tend to compare myself to these insta

famous girls, and the more I do the more I lose myself in the moment. I forget my value and the

fact that we are all unique in our own individual ways. Though there are many factors into

making us believe that we are not perfect, I try my best to surround myself with people and

places with positive atmospheres. Significant people in my life remind me daily how beautiful I

am, though I refuse, I am touched and it changes my view on myself. Through Alessia Cara’s

song she awakens us from the negative impacts of society. The artist acts as the influential

instrument everyone should have in their life and reminds her audience that “[we] are beautiful

just the way [we] are”. Through this I am encouraged to see the beauty in me.

In a nutshell, though loving and appreciating oneself may be difficult, it is a necessity one

should seek to learn how to do. Although there are many obstacles along the way to loving

oneself, there are also many reminders and positive impacts around us that we need to open up

to. Remind yourself as well that you are beautiful and do not compare yourself to others. Alessia

Cara reminds us that no one's expectations should shape the person we long to be. A quick and

unthoughtful definition of a “perfect” woman should not be the one to chase after, but the

knowledge of one's true beauty and uniqueness. Therefore, don’t let society’s expectations blind

you to your own beauty, but, seek for your beauty as we all have it in ourselves.