Prachi Nigam features in a powerful ‘glow-up’ video; shares ‘never try to fix something that was never broken’

Not just in India, but women across the world are constantly bombarded with messages and images that reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and the pursuit of physical perfection. The pressure to conform to an idealised notion of beauty can be overwhelming. 

The recent case of UP class 10 board topper Prachi Nigam highlighted the grim reality that many young girls and women face today. After her image was circulated online, Nigam was heavily trolled for her facial hair and unconventional looks. 

However, she revealed that she was unfazed by the criticism and was only focusing on her education. In a makeover video posted by YouTuber Anish Bhagat, almost a month after the incident, she shared a powerful message to all the women out there. “Dear women, never try to fix something that was never broken,” Nigam said. 

Towards the end of the video, it was also revealed that the video was never about a makeover, as she looks beautiful just the way she is. 

“I hope this shuts the trolls once and for all,” Bhagat captioned the video. 

 

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A post shared by Anish Bhagat (@anishbhagatt) 

He added, “This is for anyone and everyone filled with insecurities and has been waiting for a glow-up. You all deserve to treat yourself a little better. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals and Mindtalk, agrees that women today face immense pressure to conform to the society’s standards of beauty, feeling pressured to look a certain way and falling into ‘the perfection trap.’

Common signs of falling into ‘the perfection trap’

Cadabam tells indianexpress.com, “Falling into the perfection trap often involves excessive time and money spent on beauty products and treatments. People might always find flaws in their appearance, no matter how much effort they put in. This could include an obsession with meeting unrealistic beauty standards set by social media and celebrities.” 

Constantly comparing oneself to others and feeling inadequate are strong indicators, she adds. “This behaviour often leads to significant emotional distress, including anxiety and depression, all driven by the relentless pursuit of an unattainable ideal.”

She cites research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology which highlights that perfectionism is associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction.

Distinguishing between healthy striving for improvement and unhealthy obsession with perfection

“Healthy striving for improvement is about setting realistic goals and recognising that progress takes time,” Cadabam stresses. It includes celebrating small achievements and understanding that imperfection is part of the journey. 

Shift your focus from external appearance to inner qualities like kindness, intelligence, and creativity. (Source: Freepik)

In contrast, an unhealthy obsession with perfection is marked by an all-or-nothing mindset. This stems from a fear of failure and a deep need for external validation. Those striving healthily can accept flaws, she says, while perfectionists feel immense pressure to be flawless always.

Cadabam refers to research in Psychological Bulletin that mentions that healthy striving, also known as adaptive perfectionism, is linked to positive outcomes like high achievement and self-esteem. Meanwhile, maladaptive perfectionism is connected to a fear of making mistakes and chronic dissatisfaction .

Practical strategies to cultivate self-acceptance

Cadabam notes the following practical strategies that women can use to cultivate self-acceptance and embrace their natural beauty:

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Practice mindfulness to become aware of your thoughts without judgment. Self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness, especially during times of perceived inadequacy. A study in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that self-compassion significantly reduces body dissatisfaction and the drive for thinness .

Limit Social Media Exposure: Cut down on social media use to reduce the influence of unrealistic beauty standards. Follow accounts that promote body positivity and diverse beauty representations.

Focus on Inner Qualities: Shift your focus from external appearance to inner qualities like kindness, intelligence, and creativity.

Set Realistic Goals: Encourage setting achievable goals that prioritize health and well-being over appearance.

Seek Professional Support: Therapy can be beneficial for addressing underlying issues related to self-esteem and body image.

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