The Curse of Seeing Beauty in Everyone Except Yourself - By Aamna Punekar

Written By: Aamna Punekar

Category: Essay

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her essay "The Curse of Seeing Beauty in Everyone Except Yourself," Aamna Punekar delves into the profound impact of beauty culture and social media on young minds. Submitted to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece offers a thoughtful reflection on the pervasive influence of societal standards. Aamna's work captures the essence of self-perception struggles and the silent battles teenagers face in a world obsessed with appearance.

About the Work

Aamna Punekar's essay reflects on the theme of insecurity and self-worth, examining how societal beauty standards shape young individuals' identities. Through evocative language and personal anecdotes, she highlights the damaging effects of comparison and the relentless pursuit of external validation. The essay's introspective tone invites readers to contemplate the psychological toll of always seeing beauty in others but not in oneself.

The Curse of Seeing Beauty in Everyone Except Yourself.

Original Submission by Aamna Punekar

The Curse of Seeing Beauty in Everyone Except Yourself

Nobody really talks about how deeply social media and beauty culture influence young minds. We pretend it is harmless; just makeup tutorials, skincare routines, outfit inspiration, pretty girls on a screen. But for many teenagers, especially girls, it quietly becomes a mirror we use against ourselves like a knife to stab oneself.

Ever since my early teens, I have struggled with insecurities. I got my period earlier than most girls, and with it came changes I was never mentally prepared for. Autoimmune issues showed up through inflamed skin and rosacea. My height stopped earlier than I expected. Acne, a low appetite, and a metabolism too fast for my own good became parts of me I could not control.

I became hyperaware of my appearance.

Pretty on the front camera, unfamiliar on the back camera which read as facial asymmetry. Too skinny for most jeans to fit my waist properly. Wearing full sleeves even on warm days so nobody notices the marks on my arms or points out how thin I look. Standing beside prettier girls and feeling less like a person and more like a shadow in the background.

Invisible and unnoticed.

People think insecurity is just disliking a feature or wanting clearer skin. But sometimes it is deeper than that. Sometimes it feels like constantly carrying the belief that everyone around you deserves to be seen more than you do.

Even something as simple as my name being called in class makes my hands sweat. Making friends feels difficult when you already feel like people see you as “less.” I often say I love dogs, maybe because I relate to them more than I relate to people. I feel like that one stray dog across the street - awkward-looking, unnoticed, craving affection so deeply that the smallest kindness would wag its tail forever even for the bare-minimum like giving leftovers yet it devours it believing that this was the most it could deserve.

The cruel thing about beauty standards is how early they begin shaping us. Social media teaches girls to analyze themselves before they are even old enough to fully understand who they are. Every flaw becomes noticeable. Every insecurity becomes marketable. There is always a product to fix your skin, your body, your lips, your hair, your weight; as if girlhood itself has become a problem needing correction.

And the standards keep rising.

Over time, I learned how to calm my rosacea. I grew my hair longer. I use concealer on my acne and lip gloss when I want to feel prettier. From the outside, it may seem like an improvement. But no amount of concealing changes how deeply insecurity settles into someone once they begin seeing themselves through the eyes of comparison.

That is the real damage.

It is the curse of seeing beauty in everyone except yourself. The curse of staring into mirrors searching for what is wrong with your face. The curse of trying so hard to feel beautiful and still feeling inferior anyway.

Maybe the saddest thing about beauty standards is not that they make girls feel ugly.

Maybe it is that they make girls spend their youth believing they must earn the right to feel worthy.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a renowned platform celebrating diverse voices in literature. It invites participants to express their creativity and share unique perspectives through poetry, essays, and creative writing. This competition fosters a community of writers and readers who engage with thought-provoking themes and narratives.

We extend our warmest thanks to Aamna Punekar for her insightful contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her essay, "The Curse of Seeing Beauty in Everyone Except Yourself," offers a poignant exploration of beauty standards and self-perception. We appreciate her candid reflection and the conversation it inspires.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.