Here are some practical, real-life steps and proven strategies that work.

1. Notice What Triggers You
   Some things spark insecurity without us realising it:
   A certain influencer,
   A specific friend’s “perfect” selfies,
   Nights when you’re tired,
   Times when you’re stressed,
   Start watching your reactions.
   Awareness is the first step to regaining control.
   
   
2. Reduce Filter Use Slowly
   Nobody expects you to delete every filter or start posting unedited photos under harsh lighting. I couldn’t do that myself.
   But you can: Take at least one unfiltered selfie this week.
   Share unfiltered photos with close friends.
   Post something authentic once in a while.
   Small steps.
   Big impact.
   
   
3. Fix Your Feed
   Your eyes get used to whatever they see the most.
   If your timeline is full of “perfect faces” from morning till night, soon you’ll start thinking your real face is the odd one out.
   So: Unfollow accounts that make you feel less
   Follow creators who show real skin, real pores, real life
   Add diversity to your feed…different shapes, colours, textures
   Let your brain breathe.
   
   
4. Be Kinder to Yourself
   Your mirror shouldn’t feel like a battleground.
   Try speaking to yourself gently, even if it feels awkward:
   “This is my real face, and it’s fine.”
   “My skin is allowed to be human.”
   “I don’t need to be edited to be accepted.”
   Your self-talk shapes your self-perception more than you realise.
   
   
5. Sleep Before You Scroll
   Night scrolling is a trap.
   Insecurities come alive at 11 p.m., and filters will always win that fight.
   Choose rest.
   Choose peace.
   Life looks different when you’re not tired.
   
   
6. Model Realness for Younger Ones
   If there are teens or young adults around you, show them reality:
   Let them see your unfiltered face
   Talk openly about filters
   Teach them that beauty isn’t something you edit, it’s something you live
   They are learning from you, even when you think they’re not watching.
   
   
7. Talk About It Openly
   There’s no shame in admitting that filters sometimes affect how you see yourself.
   Conversations like:
   “Honestly, these filters make me forget what I look like.” …can be freeing.
   Real discussions bring the pressure down for you and for the other person.
   
   
8. Take Mini Social Media Breaks
   Not long breaks.
   Not dramatic announcements.
   Just an evening off.
   A Sunday without scrolling.
   A morning where you choose sunlight over screen light.
   Your mind recalibrates quickly when you give it space.
   
   
9. Build a Bigger Life Offline
   The more alive your real life is, the less power digital beauty holds.
   Go outside.
   Laugh with real friends.
   Touch grass literally.
   Life has textures, filters can’t imitate.
   
   
10. Remember: Your Face is Not a Problem
    Your face carries your history:
    Your laughter, stress, growth, and journey.
    No filter can tell your story better than your real expression.
    You were not born to look edited.
    You were born to look like you.
    And that is enough.