Left on Read pt. 10
Left on Read pt. 10
beauty standards, birthdays, blue spaces, social media, dreams
Left on Read is a weekly-ish curation of articles, essays, and other media consumed that I found thought-provoking, amusing, or just moved to share. Cheers to more reading!
1. Dazed: We have entered the age of TikTok face
Explores the emergence of *rolls eyes* another beauty trend labeled “TikTok face” on social media that introduces categories like “cat pretty” and “boy vs girl pretty.” The piece questions the impact of TikTok’s algorithm on shaping beauty ideals and prompts reflection on the motivations behind participating in such trends.
“Regurgitating the same trend cycles under different names gives the illusion of change, making it appear fresh and exciting while still maintaining the status quo.”
There is nothing inherently wrong in participating in a silly little online trend, but the rapid emergence and constant recycling of these beauty trends really makes me wonder about the deeper implications of how societal expectations and beauty standards persist beneath the surface.
2. The Powder Room: I'm not a wife, or a mum - will I ever be celebrated again?
never misses! She brings attention to the societal pressure placed on women (particularly those over 30), and the correlation between celebrating one’s achievements and combating the narrative that a woman’s worth is solely tied to appearance and/or traditional life roles. As she reflects on her 40th birthday and encourages a reevaluation of how we perceive and celebrate birthdays and milestones, I am reminded of the value of communal support and the importance of celebrating friends for achievements beyond traditional milestones.
3. Aeon: The right to bathe
This piece discusses historical communal bathing practices and their positive effects on mental well-being, highlighting the inequality in access to public ‘blue spaces’ in urban areas today.
“Appearing in many culturally distinct shapes and sizes, communal city baths – including ancient Roman thermae, Turkish hammams and Japanese onsen – have long fostered a deep, healing sense of togetherness, abundance, relaxation and grounding. Many of these public spaces were successful because they were inexpensive (or free) and widely accessible. However, in New York and other unequal 21st-century cities, as more luxury baths and spas are built, public blue spaces are in decline. Pools are built over and poorly maintained; waterways are polluted and neglected; and ocean beaches are rendered inaccessible to those who most need their curative qualities…What if we began thinking about the future of collective hydrotherapy differently in the context of our mental health crisis? What if we began to insist on our collective right to bathe?”
Urban planning literally affects everyone and plays a role in numerous aspects of our daily lives. It extends beyond socioeconomic dynamics with a plethora of data supporting the notion that the design of our built environments directly influences our physical wellness and overall health. I found this article to be a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness between urban planning, community, and public health. It prompts reflection on how simple and inclusive solutions rooted in collective care and equitable access can contribute to positive health outcomes.
4. Psyche: The illusion of closeness: how social media redefined respect
This article offers a thought-provoking reflection on the evolution of interpersonal dynamics in the digital age, particularly on the loss of privacy and the shift from offline to online spaces, where oversharing and constant visibility has become the norm.
“Have we sacrificed self-regard for reach? Does authentic connection still have space to unfold offline before being marketed as content? The tension between privacy and secrecy – dignity and deceit – has taken on newly heightened digital dimensions, still awaiting philosophical reconciliation.”
As I think about ways to balance the benefits and drawbacks of social media use in a way that aligns with my values, I’ve also been thinking about the idea of whether social media brings us closer together or further apart. It’s a tool that I find useful to communicate with others and in many instances it has brought me closer to some people. On the other hand, I also feel that as it continues to evolve, a lot of the interactions feel less meaningful which makes me wonder if the pursuit of connectivity through social media has inadvertently led to a dilution of genuine, meaningful interactions in favor of superficial engagement and validation-seeking. Ironically, the interactions I have with people online that I do not personally know offline feel the most meaningful (you know who you are 😭).
5. Pysche: The reason we dream might be to bring us closer together
Do you believe that dreams have inherent meaning? This article explores the potential benefits of dream-sharing in fostering empathy and social bonding.
More of ‘Left on Read’
Parts 1-3 can be found on TikTok.
Let’s keep the conversation flowing
🙇🏽♀️ I’d love to read your thoughts on any of the articles and essays shared above. Feel free to share your recent reads, any compelling pieces that have lingered in your mind, or just a hi! It’s all welcome.
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I enjoyed no.4 article!