Fashion and beauty are interesting intrinsically. The aesthetics draw us in. The culture makes us feel alive. But there is a quite plain and obvious dark side to those subjects as well. So, if you choose to be a part of that particular industry, make sure that you put on your thick skin and your thinking cap to avoid the pitfalls that so many succumb to.

Five conditions in particular to consider would be the comprehension of addictive behavior, how certain types of beauty and fashion can waste money, where unrealistic goals fit into the mix, how certain types of success are very short-lived, and how the point of life and/or humanity can get lost in the desire for beauty as well. Discuss!

The Beginning of Addiction

The need to be liked or viewed as beautiful or fashionable can be seen as an addiction after a certain point. It’s never been more apparent than with the obsessions that people have with social media accounts (particularly Instagram) where social value is seen as a direct representation of how many likes, views, and follows a person gets. After a certain point, the dark side of this behavior can lead to the need for addiction recovery processes, even if drugs and alcohol aren’t the immediate cause.

The Waste of Money

Because of advertising and branding, there are many instances where the desire for beauty, or the need to feel fashionable, leads to an intense waste of money. Excess clothes or makeup are purchased, all chasing after the image of perfection that isn’t particularly attainable. The clash of need vs. want is strong in the fashion world, and many people getting eaten up and put into debt because of it.

Unrealistic Goals

What are the goals of a person who want to be beautiful and fashionable? Do they want to fit in? Or do they want to be the best of the best? And that, exactly, is according to whom? The trouble with working in the fashion industry is that whatever goal you set, once you achieve it, the bar simply drifts higher.

Certain Types of Success Are Very Short-lived

How long do the extremely beautiful people of the world stay in the category? What are the ideal ages to be a model? How long will people find you attractive through the lens of a camera? Once again, fashion and beauty are brutal with regard to your timeline. Expecting it to extend because you’re special is unrealistic.

The Point Of Life Can Be Missed

In the search for beauty, the search for truth and satisfaction can be lost. You see millions of despondent people who haven’t grasped their goal of being on the top of the fashion pile, simply wasting away into their own self-pity. Don’t fall into the dark trap!