BLOG ENTRY 012: Finding Your Aesthetic
You can search on Google how to find your own aesthetic with numerous amounts of articles and a variety of opinions and advice lined up for you. As a Christian woman, and as a Christians in general, we should take this with a grain of salt. Everyone should know Romans 12:2 when considering where you stand with the world. The narrow road is the best road. I’m reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:25-37, I learn that judgement comes from the world. It only took a Samaritan to help the man on the road. What did that road lead to? Healing. So, let’s heal from the words and actions that have hurt us (RIP Tumblr girls) and truly understand who we are as Christians living in the secular world.
Remember your identity. God has called us to be fearfully and wonderfully made. Clothed with dignity and strength.
Basically, you need to know that your identity is from the one who created you. That is your foundation to know who you are before you build your own aesthetic.
Another thing I should add before we dive into your aesthetic, know what your intentions are. Is it for approval? Attention for yourself? To gain more numbers on your profile? Search your heart before you decide how to move forward. If it is for your pride, then it is only going to be temporary. Back in High School, I had a “phase” where I only wore monochrome colors: black, white, and grey. Is it cringe? Maybe, but I was dedicated. It did look kind of when I look back at my archive. Now it’s evidence of some character development and the blueprint to how I think of how I post on Instagram.
In Jackie Hill Perry’s book Holier than Thou, she mentions how we are an idol and social media is apart of it.
“Even social media thrives most on our neediness and the way it makes us discontent in being known and loved by God and God alone. Looking to it and not Him for love and other things, every post reveals from what place we can find value and identity. …In the exchange of the truth about God for the lie that social media can become, every “like” feels like praise, every comment feels like prayer, and every follow feels like heaven, one that we have constructed to the glory of our own name. …On the surface, the idol looks like social media, at the root the idol is us.”
Since you have all of this information, know that this process doesn’t take all of five minutes. As I mentioned previously, I had my hand at the world of aesthetics when I was in high school, so it took me YEARS to know what I was doing and achieving the look that created who I wanted the world to see.
Let’s not try to put this into a business perspective because this is for you personally, for yourself. I want to write this entry for someone who didn’t have this information when wanting to express yourself.
Know what you gravitate towards. What colors are filling up your closet? Do you have more gold or silver jewelry and are they simple or make a statement? What types of fabrics or style of clothes do you have? These are simple questions that can lead you to know how to find your aesthetic.
If you know me, I love to make Pinterest boards. I have one for this blog and for my personal aesthetic. This helps me find ideas as of what to post or find near me that helps me affirm who I am. It shouldn’t replace you or allow it to become your personality or you will only become a frame of who you really are. This is inspiration not a to-do list.
Look at who you enjoy following on social media. Do they share outfit ideas or ways to improve your home? This idea is to find your community, and others on your page will find their community is because of your aesthetic. How do they edit their photos? What template do they use? What kinds of photos or videos do they post? Find a way to make content like that your own.
You’ve reached the end of this entry but that doesn’t mean that this is the end of list of how to find your aesthetic. Tread lightly when you are navigating what you enjoy but remember that you will make mistakes. You will find people near you that support you and want others to see how you choose to express yourself. Your social media page is only a lens of who you really are. Trends are temporary, but your identity is forever.
Keep pouring,
Khalie x
