Note: Our podcast scripts are written so that the hosts can stay on topic while allowing for the freedom to explore other related topics at the same time. If you want to find a list of sources that correlate with our script, please consider checking out the corresponding resources for this episode.
Link to our self-love playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02v80TQnZs5fb0HMu2SfQN
Intro:
Welcome! You are listening to A POP of Psych, a chill and educational podcast about psychology and its interdisciplinary applications seeking to give you more insight into the world around us.
Michelle: I’m Michelle and I am a rising senior from New Jersey and I will be your main host for today. On episode 2 of the podcast, I’ll be discussing the topic of self-love in the digital age.
Topic 1: portrayal of self-love in the media & how Studio Ghibli is different
I want to zoom out from the context of the digital age and social media and just begin a general conversation on self-love and self-esteem.
It hasn’t been that long since we’ve seen strong, female protagonists to be quite frank.
Difficult to find positive role-models in our post-modern culture in TV & film; especially female role-models
Preface: may sometimes shift the focus to those who identify as females but this concept is obviously important for those who identify as males and non-binary
Role models are important young children in their formative years
Pop culture and media has produced strong & capable male characters
There is lack of female protagonists, especially in animated films meant for children, especially relatable ones with realistic flaws although the setting and circumstances may seem surreal
In this conversation we have Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli hailing from Japan!
Note: Japan is also a patriarchal society, by no means a matriarchy, but Miyazaki produces stories with multi-faceted female protagonists
Note: Michelle’s favorite Studio Ghibli films are: Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke
Characteristic of these aforementioned films: female characters persevere through their struggles with their own merits, not their male counterparts
Moreover, when there is a male main character, the relationship between the male and female character does NOT propel the story, the self-development and improvement of the characters propel the plot
Mention Howl’s Moving Castle
Premise: Howl is a wizard who is concerned with vanity and Sophie is someone who has low self-esteem and accepts her “plain” experiences and the social status associated with it
By the climax of the film: Before Howl declares his love for Sophie, he learns how to love himself → self-love, self-care, self-acceptance isn’t a “feminine” characteristic → Miyazaki conveys that its a human thing
Breaks restrictive gender expectations b/c there is anxiety and body dysmorphia for males as well
Another film: Kiki’s Delivery Service
About a young witch named Kiki who moves to a new environment
Trying to assimilate into a new world as an outsider → story of self-acceptance & self-love rather than the search of fake/temporary popularity
Transition: move into specifically self-love in the context of social media and the digital age
Topic 2: studies concerning social media usage & self-esteem
I’m here with Stacey for this relevant discussion on social media and self-love. → (Stacey says hi!) Especially for GenZ, we use social media pretty often.
Use social media to connect, especially now that we’re in this period of social isolation
Social media definitely impacts how we feel about ourselves, even in the slightest extent → more emphasis needed on self-love for sure!
Talking points: personal experiences, influencers
SN: I agree with the importance of self love, anytime, but particularly now in a social media-based, consumerist-culture cultivating world. Especially on a platform where everything is filtered and because what is posted stays posted, there is so much pressure on women that are supposed to continuously uphold this feminine and girly, but also conservative, appeal, and be judged if we are not feminime enough or not conservative enough, but also men that are pressured to present themselves as masculine 24/7 because god forbid they can’t have their human emotions peek through because that is just *emasculating*, there’s not a lot of room for reality and what people behind the screen are actually like. We are trying to be so perfect, so like the person next door on social media because we are so scared of what someone may comment, but that person is, I assure you, not perfect offscreen as they may appear onscreen. We are reaching for something that is so far out of anyone’s reach, but we are tricked into thinking it’s attainable; that’s the dark side of social media. It’s so hard to love yourself when you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, but think they are realistic because it’s on your phone and you just saw it, therefore you think that it is possible.
M.K: You took everything out of my mouth. Another platform I wanted to touch upon isn’t a social media network per se, but is LinkedIn, which is a professional networking platform. I created my account junior year and didn’t think much of it. But during quarantine I became much more active as I was looking for remote summer opportunities. But I also became sidetracked by the profiles of these amazing students and young professionals. Although this isn’t really physical appearance, the impressive resumes, awards, and accomplishments on these profiles made me very self-conscious of myself; I became stuck in a rut of comparison of my own lack of impressive accolades. I found it difficult to appreciate my own accomplishments for what they were. I have a much healthier relationship with LinkedIn now, and I’ve learned that in the process of practicing self-love it’s also equally important to realize you are different and unique from others as well. Comparing yourself to the best version of others, or others in general, won’t propel you to become a better version of yourself. On that note, moving on to the studies!
According to a study focused on the impact of social media on young womxn, conducted Jennifer Mills, an associate professor of Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada, as well as Jacquelin Hogue, a Ph.D, who was a student in the department’s clinical program
Womxn who spend more time utilizing social media platforms, browsing through content, have a lower sense of self-esteem than those who don’t use, or use less
Moreover, when womxn interacted w/ attractive ppl on the platform, the subjects’ negative thoughts about their personal body image increased
Talking points: less social media usage experiences
SN: I am very self conscious about how I present myself. I feel the best way to remain unbothered is to be detached from social media. I am not in any way degrading, or putting down, anyone that uses social media as an outlet of communication or expression, but personally by not having social media, where I perceive everyone to be this flawless two dimensional entity, rather than a physical human being that may be more relatable in person, I feel that I am less likely to make comparisons about my face, my body, my clothes, even my intelligence and wokeness to an influencer sharing very little of their life, and likely the most perfect times of their life. But self love and body image is something you really have to work for. It’s not going to be solved by deleting social media because ultimately it’s an internal battle and in the ring is you and yourself. Maybe doing so can help, but it’s really a product of what you are grown to think or ideals, morals, principles you are surrounded by and completely rewiring your brain to think for the better takes more than just deleting an app. Being completely honest, I have been off of Instagram for six months now? About six months. I wouldn’t say my body image has improved, but I will say that there was potential for it to worsen, but it has not done so and I will maybe attribute that to less social media usage. Also it’s important to note how much of a first world problem this is: battling consumerist culture and materialism.
M.K.: Wonderfully worded! During quarantine I myself have also been using Instagram a lot less. I have always been extremely self-conscious and I always feel nonexistent judgements. But using social media less has definitely made me less stressed in general; I’m not unconsciously comparing myself to unnaturally constructed photos, nor having FOMO. But I think, kind of unrelated but also related is that since attractiveness is associated with social acceptance, it’s important to find a supportive group of people who validate you as a person, in the flesh, and not for your appearance, but your endearing flaws and unique qualities. So definitely virtual keep in touch with your friends; they’ll keep you mentally sane and happy! Now on that note, onto our next study!
Furthermore, according to Anna Blond, a researcher from the New York Psychiatric Institute, who studied body-image specifically in males
Exposing those who identify as male to muscular ideals of the male body causes men to feel more dissatisfied w/ their own
Harmful male stereotypes: men are reinforced to be strong & handsome from a young age → harmful stereotypes apply to those who identify as both male or female, while we don’t discuss nonbinary folks in detail, there are definitely identity struggles and self-love struggles for all, not just those who identify as these two genders
Topic 3: songs with lyrics about self-empowerment & self-love
Conclude with some songs with empowering lyrics as you go into the weekend for some TLC for yourself
There’s a lot of research out there about the psychological benefits of listening to upbeat music with regards to boosting happiness and improving moods → future episode???
As a listener of Korean music, K-pop is definitely a genre that I listen to; like every genre there are cheesy lyrics about love and whatnot, but the following songs contain some nice lyrics that may lift your spirits and give you a gentle reminder to practice self-love
Not mentioning a lot of songs, but there will be a playlist to self-empowering songs on Spotify → find the link on our website & go to the episode 2 script post!
GOT7 - “I Am Me”
Rather than let others dictate your actions and behavior, find the freedom to be yourself in every way
Finding your true self and accepting yourself, and all your flaws, is essential for self-love
BTS - “Epiphany”
Journey of self-realization
Our souls deserved to be nourished way before the same is done to others
Make peace w/ the fact that humans are lacking & to love oneself regardless
MAMAMOO - “Yes I Am”
Especially related to digital age
How we present ourselves to ppl → be unique, be yourself
BTS - “Answer: Love Myself”
Self-love → self-explanatory concept
Basically, self-love is an idea that very few are actually familiar w/ b/c we’re used to love others before we show love to ourselves
simply because the tendency to love others often overshadows the affection one bestows upon themselves → we must practice it & remain cognizant in the digital age!
Outro:
Discussed portrayals of gender stereotypes in media and how Studio Ghibli offers something different under the context of self-love & self-acceptance
We also looked at studies about social media usage and how that may also impact the way we feel about ourselves
Ended the podcast with some song recommendations with lyrics concerns self-love and self-empowerment → remember to practice self-love and healthy social media habits
And go to our website for the scripts and the resources we used & feel free to use the contact form to give us feedback on what you want to hear.
Thank you for listening and we'll be back soon with another episode next week!
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