Podcast Summary
Identity in the digital age: A combination of online and offline personas: In today's society, how we present ourselves online, driven by an obsession with aesthetics, shapes our identity and how we are perceived by others.
In the current digital age, our identities are no longer limited to our physical presence but are a combination of our online and offline personas. Both aspects equally shape how we are perceived by others. Furthermore, there is a growing obsession with aesthetics, particularly online, where people align themselves with certain looks or styles, often to the point of it becoming a lifestyle or even an obsession. The way we present ourselves online requires calculation and thought, making it an art form of sorts. This duality of identity and the obsession with aesthetics are significant trends shaping our society today.
Social Media: A Calculated Representation: People carefully curate their online identity through social media, presenting a calculated version of themselves.
People carefully consider what they post on social media with the intention of shaping their online identity and how others perceive them. The speaker argues that there's no such thing as an organic or genuine post on social media, as even seemingly careless posts have some level of intent. The speaker also points out that social media allows for a certain level of curation and control over one's online persona that isn't possible in real life. Therefore, what we see on social media is a calculated representation of ourselves, and we wouldn't post if no one was there to see it.
Strive for consistency between online and offline personas: Maintaining a consistent persona online and offline is essential for building meaningful relationships. However, complete authenticity may not be possible at all times.
While social media allows us to showcase a carefully curated version of ourselves, it's important to remember that in-person interactions require us to be authentic and present. Our online identities can influence how others perceive us in real life, but it's inevitable that inconsistencies will eventually surface. Therefore, it's crucial to strive for consistency between our online and offline personas while understanding that complete authenticity may not be possible at all times. The obsession with maintaining a certain aesthetic or vibe on social media can impact our personal lives, leading to preconceived notions and missed opportunities for genuine connections. Ultimately, being true to ourselves in both digital and physical spaces is the key to building meaningful relationships.
Creating a Consistent Online Presence through Personal Branding: In today's digital age, people curate their online presence to develop a consistent personal brand, showcasing their aesthetic and values to connect with others.
In today's digital age, people, especially younger generations, are increasingly focused on curating their online presence and developing a consistent personal brand. This can be seen in the way they present themselves through their social media channels, including their aesthetic, the content they share, and their values. This obsession with branding oneself online has become a norm, and those who don't participate are considered outliers. An online aesthetic refers to the consistent personality portrayed on social media, which can include fashion choices, location, camera quality, and writing style. Examples of different aesthetics include the edgy street style and the soft, gentle cottagecore vibe. The value of branding oneself online lies in helping people connect with you and understand who you are. Consistency is key, and not adhering to one's brand can confuse people and make them question one's authenticity. While this phenomenon is more prevalent in the entertainment industry and among influencers, it has become a societal norm for anyone using social media.
Social Media Aesthetics: Expressing Individuality and Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals: Social media aesthetics offer a way for individuals to express their unique identities and connect with communities of like-minded people.
Social media platforms are filled with various aesthetic categories that people adopt and curate to present their unique identities. These aesthetics can range from the clean and organized "wellness god" lifestyle to the deep and philosophical "tortured artist" persona, the fun-loving "party kid" or "college royalty," and the laid-back "I don't care" attitude. The "workout god" aesthetic focuses on fitness and health, while the "random" aesthetic showcases candid moments and unstaged photos. These categories provide a sense of community and belonging for users, allowing them to express themselves and connect with like-minded individuals. It's essential to remember that these aesthetics are not a judgement or an insult, but rather a reflection of individuality and creativity in the digital age.
Maintaining a consistent online identity is profitable in cities with many influencers: Striking a balance between building a strong online presence and expressing different aspects of oneself is essential to avoid mental discomfort and self-expression restrictions.
Living in a city like Los Angeles, where there are many influencers, has led to a culture where having a consistent online identity or aesthetic is seen as profitable and desirable. Companies look for influencers with a clear brand and personality to align with their products. This is a significant source of income for many online personalities. However, the pressure to maintain this aesthetic can lead to mental discomfort and a lack of fluidity in self-expression. It's important to strike a balance between building a strong online presence and allowing oneself to express different aspects of one's personality. The obsession with having an online aesthetic can be a problem when it restricts individual growth and self-expression.
Obsessing over a consistent aesthetic online and offline: Being true to oneself and flexible while staying authentic is essential, rather than letting social media define and limit personal growth.
Having an obsession with maintaining a consistent aesthetic, both online and offline, can become unhealthy. The speaker shared her experience of starting this obsession during her teenage years with VSCO, a social media platform for sharing high-quality photos. She curated an identity and aesthetic on VSCO, which later influenced her decisions in real life. However, this obsession led to unnecessary stress and self-imposed pressure to conform to this aesthetic, even if it didn't align with her true self or the situation. It's essential to remember that social media is just one aspect of our lives, and we should not let it define us entirely or limit our personal growth and expression. Instead, we should strive for authenticity and self-acceptance, allowing ourselves to be flexible and adapt to different situations while staying true to our core values.
Being human is complex, not a brand: Humans should embrace their authenticity and dynamic nature, rather than striving for a consistent persona online.
While social media can encourage us to present a consistent persona, humans are not brands. We are complex beings who change and evolve. Constantly striving for a consistent image online can be exhausting and may prevent us from expressing our true selves. Brands, on the other hand, have a consistent identity because they are not conscious beings. They are created with a specific message, voice, and feeling to connect with customers. However, humans are not products and should not be treated as such. It's important to remember that it's okay to be dynamic and constantly evolving, rather than feeling the need to fit into a specific aesthetic or vibe all the time. Embracing our humanity and allowing ourselves to express the full range of our personality can lead to greater authenticity and fulfillment.
Embracing authenticity beyond aesthetics: Our identities aren't defined by our appearance or social media persona. Embrace different aspects of yourself and let your identity naturally evolve.
Our identities are not defined by our aesthetic or the way we present ourselves on social media. The speaker shares her personal experience of feeling embarrassed about her love for exercise due to it not matching her desired aesthetic. However, she now embraces the idea that our interests and expressions should not be limited by our perceived image. The more we allow ourselves to explore different dimensions and layers, the more interesting we become as individuals. Our identities are not something to be curated or maintained, but rather a natural expression of who we are. It's important to remember that everyone's way of expressing themselves is unique, and there's no right or wrong way to be authentic to oneself. Embrace the freedom to be whoever you want to be, and let your identity evolve naturally.
Embrace the fluidity of identity and explore new aspects of yourself: Embrace the dynamic nature of our identities and allow ourselves to evolve while recognizing the importance of having the right tools and support systems in place, such as professional websites and therapy.
It's essential to embrace the fluidity of our identities and avoid becoming too fixated on a particular aesthetic or archetype. Pressuring ourselves to fit into a specific mold can limit our growth and discovery of who we truly are. Instead, we should be open to trying new things and exploring different aspects of ourselves. Furthermore, having a well-designed website is crucial for selling products or building a brand. Tools like Squarespace can help create a professional and seamless online presence, even for those with limited design knowledge. Additionally, being aware of our social needs and energy levels is essential for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Therapy can provide valuable self-awareness and help individuals build social lives that suit their unique needs. Overall, the key takeaway is to embrace the dynamic nature of our identities and allow ourselves to evolve and grow, while also recognizing the importance of having the right tools and support systems in place.
Embrace new experiences despite misalignment with preconceived aesthetics: Being open-minded to new experiences, even if they don't align with our preferences, can lead to unexpected growth and value in life. Try new things and explore Chamberlain Coffee with code AG15 for a discount.
Being open-minded and flexible to new experiences, even if they don't align perfectly with our preconceived aesthetics or archetypes, can lead to unexpected value and growth in our lives. The speaker emphasizes this as a potential struggle, especially for young people, but also acknowledges that it may not be a universal experience. It's important to remember that sometimes making decisions based on how they make us feel, rather than strictly adhering to an aesthetic, can lead to happiness and contentment. Additionally, the speaker encourages listeners to explore new things, including checking out her company, Chamberlain Coffee, and using the code AG15 for a discount.
