Nobody feels beautiful all the time. We all have days when we feel off and unable to manage the negative feelings inside of us. It doesn’t help that women in particular are always told that beauty comes from the inside, but are then always commented on for how they look.
In a world full of contradictions, how does one respond? How do you cope with all this pressure to look good?
First, it is important to understand that there is no objective criteria for beauty. Everyone perceives it differently. And beauty is not all about your appearance, either.
Still, there is nothing wrong with working on feeling more beautiful daily. Just remember that there are many ways to bring out your beauty without having to change anything about your face!
Four Confidence-boosting Habits to Practice
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The challenge of feeling beautiful is also a psychological battle. More than your outward appearance, you should also pay attention to the other important aspects that contribute to your beauty. Do these five practices to help you see the beauty you already possess-no additional makeup or beauty filters required!
1. Make your surroundings more pleasant
There are times when your struggle to see yourself as beautiful is more of an external issue that has nothing to do with your looks or your body. If you go about your routine in a place that is unkempt and unpleasant, then it will be much easier to fall into negative thoughts.
Beauty in your own home is not all for decoration. Having a beautiful home actually has a positive psychological effect on you. A clean, well-designed home not only makes you healthier, but it also makes you calmer and happier. When you feel happier, you see yourself in a better light.
If your home has become too cluttered or outdated, it may be time for a decluttering session or even a home renovation. Do it with the goal of making your space bright and full of life again!
2. Fix your posture
Your body language says so much about you that you don’t say out loud. If you often slouch when speaking with another person, it signals a lack of interest in them. If you don’t stand straight, it shows a lack of confidence.
When you are feeling stressed, tense, or sad, the tendency is to also curve your body into yourself and keep your head down. Negative emotions make your body language more closed off.
The concept of embodied cognition proposes that while the mind affects the body, the body also affects the mind. When you are not feeling too confident about yourself, fight the feelings off by standing up straight and opening up your posture. A confident posture helps you feel more capable and beautiful!
3. Add more color to your life-literally
Try dialing it back on the grays and blacks and adding a pop of color in your wardrobe. A small touch such as a hairband, a scarf, or a bright pair of shoes can easily lift your mood. It is also just an overall fun thing to do!
When you want to feel more attractive, there is one color that can do the trick. It’s one that looks good on every skin tone, too. Studies suggest that wearing more red clothes can actually make you feel more attractive.
Whether it is because of the color itself or the sheer loudness of it is yet to be determined. But really, it doesn’t hurt to try it out for a day. Add some red lipstick to top it off, too.
4. Accept gratitude and appreciation
Think about your usual response when someone gives you a compliment. Do you simply say “thank you,” or do you point out an imperfection in yourself to negate what the other person is telling you? If you’re one of the latter, don’t worry, we get it.
Still, this is probably one of the reasons why you find it harder to see yourself as a beautiful person. From now on, stop evading or disagreeing with compliments you receive, whether they are about your appearance or talent or something nice you did. When you don’t know how to respond, a simple “thank you” will suffice. Really!
Just accept these encouraging words and store them away in your heart. The next time you doubt yourself in these particular areas, remember the compliments you’ve received. Let those help boost your self-esteem.
As women, we battle with unrealistic societal standards every day. While we continue to break down these unfair expectations, let us also help ourselves and each other on the journey towards self-confidence. Your beauty is for you to affirm.
