Recently, I've had some experiences that have made me become even more aware of how people perceive themselves. Someone I loved was just tearing themselves apart; calling their OWN SELF fat, ugly, and frumpy. Another teen I know was talking about how gross her pooch was. Hearing people say these things about their own body made me so terribly sad. I want to do something different and take action, even if it just begins with me.
The media is a cruel tool to convince women that they aren't perfect the way they are. We see commercials telling us that this or that will make our skin flawless, the cellulite go away, our hair to be lighter or straighter or curlier. We see TV shows and celebrities that are constantly gossiped about for not having a "perfect" body. Advertisements show severely photoshopped women and say that they are naturally flawless. It took me a long time (well after my early teenage years) to see that the things I was seeing on TV were fake and unrealistic. It took much more time to learn to love the body I have but it has given me so much confidence and happiness in life.
This project might seem arrogant, but I think it's vital to love ourselves. I can't rely on someone or something to make me feel beautiful or successful, I can only rely on myself. If I try to rely on someone to make me feel beautiful or successful, I will be constantly filled with disappointment because not one person or thing can give that to me. This post is to help me see the good physical things about myself and to encourage you to do the same.
Here are 10 physical things about myself that make me feel beautiful without anyone having to tell me so:
1. That jawline, though. Seriously, I have a pretty chiseled jaw line. Sometimes it can lend to more manly features, but for me, I think it's a good feature to have and I love it. It works well with my face shape.
2. My crooked smile. If you haven't noticed, I do have a crooked smile. I was hit in the face with a seesaw when I was little and it damaged the nerves in my lip. I've learned to control my smile so I don't show the nerve damage as much, but I have also grown to like it.
3. The silliest facial expressions. Seriously, my face can make some crazy expressions. Sometimes I look like Beeker from the muppets, I can wrinkle my face up, I can smile like a crazy loon. I also love making crazy facial expressions and my face just lends me the talent.
4. Cheese! One thing I have noticed over the past few years is that I can smile and it feels natural. Does that sound crazy? Maybe so, but I can see it in photos that even underneath the posed smile, the happiness seeps through. It could be from the confidence I have been gaining over the past few years or that I am truly happy these days, regardless it's nice to see.
5. How's the weather up there? If you haven't noticed, I am tall. 5'9" last time I checked. I love being tall and I love wearing heels. There's just something empowering about being tall!
6. Fashion do's. I have learned over the years how to dress the body I have. I am tall, with a pear shaped body. I know what looks good on my body and I know what accents the good parts and how I can camouflage the areas I don't want to show off. Knowing what to wear and what looks good helps boost my confidence and in the end that radiates from my person.
7. Dat booty. Seriously though, I have a big butt. I've learned to embrace it instead of hating it. There's not enough squat sets that I can do to make my butt smaller and honestly, why would I? Extra cushion and I fill out a pair of jeans!
8. Lushus hair! My hair is wonderful. I love my hair. It's healthy and thick and currently half pink. I can hold a bun or a top knot, I can go several days without washing it, and any hair dresser I've ever been to just can't believe how healthy and thick my hair is.
9. Makeup or nah? I love wearing makeup and I'm slowly learning how to do it well. Even though I love wearing it, I've also learned to love myself with out it. It's important to love the body you're in because that's the one you have forever. I may occasionally have breakouts or circles under my eyes, but I just take care of my skin the best that I can.
10. Curve ball. A huge thing I have to remember is that everyone is human and we all have flaws. I'm not perfect and neither is anyone else. While I may look at someone and think, "Wow, they look so perfect and thin and flawless!" I'm sure they look at themselves in the mirror and can find only the things they hate. I don't want to look in the mirror and only see disapproval. I want to love myself and my body, so that's what I'm going to do.
So I'm turning this project over to you. I want you to find 10 physical things you love about yourself. If you have more, great! You can comment on this post or just post it on your Facebook and tag me or email me privately. All I want is for you to find something you love about yourself.
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