Redefine Beauty on Your Own Terms

When you think of beauty, or a beautiful woman, what comes to mind? Chances are an airbrushed model with a rail thin body, flawless skin and perfect hair that flows down her back. Once you can picture her, what’s your next thought? Chances are, it’s “I could never look as good as she does in a million years. I hate her.”

While hate is a strong word that I don’t like to use, it’s a word that is used all too often when you compare yourself to someone to whom you think you could never match up to. So your defenses go up and you deflect your insecurities with a few cutting words that make you feel like you’re in control. But instead of being in control of your emotions, what this tells me is that it’s a hot-button issue for you. Maybe it’s time to redefine what beauty means to you.

The word beauty is defined at dictionary.com as the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest). Therefore, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and can be construed in a multitude of ways.

In our culture you have come to equate the notion of beauty with something that doesn’t necessarily exist in nature. You look at magazines and television and hold yourself up to the ideals portrayed in these media. What this does is creates an unrealistic expectation that you can never live up to (even the models don’t really look like their Photoshopped likenesses) and causes countless (and needless) comparisons which cause you to always feel inferior. Indeed, it is feelings of inferiority that the advertisers and purveyors play on to create a never ending demand for their goods. While these feelings may be putting billions of dollars into the pockets of the fashion industry, it’s time we women took back our self confidence and said NO MORE! It’s time that we redefined beauty on our own terms! How? Read on.

1/ To begin shifting your ideal of what beauty means to you it’s time for a little self-examination. To see beauty in others, you must first see it in yourself, so start by looking in the mirror. Instead of putting yourself down, take a closer look and see yourself through new eyes. What do you appreciate about your face, your hair, your body, your personality? Write it down and make a note to yourself. Put that note in your mirror and look at it every single day as a reminder. Play up whatever it is in the best way possible and show the world what you’ve got!

2/ Trust your intuition. This means everything from what clothing feels great on you to what to have for dinner to whether to leave your career and set out on your own. When you trust yourself and listen to your heart you build a confidence that is unrivaled and can send your self-worth soaring! There is nothing more beautiful than a confident woman who believes in herself, so this is key.

3/ Give it away. Share of yourself and your gifts in whatever way feels natural. It could be a simple act of kindness, volunteering or simply creating a business that lets you do what you do best to help others. Feeling fulfilled in your life will set off a chain reaction that leaves you exuding joy from the inside out. When you give to others it is a beautiful feeling that simply adds to your own natural beauty. After all, beauty radiates from the inside out – it doesn’t start with designer clothing but with a pure spirit and a joyful heart.

4/ Appreciate how you’re different. Whether you’re well-endowed or flat-chested, a size 0 or a 22, love the skin you’re in. We’re all created unique and were not meant to be carbon copies of each other. Embrace what you have and flaunt it to best effect. When you revel in your glory those around you will begin to appreciate every square inch of you too! You are good enough, no matter what and when you begin to feel whole and connected to yourself, your beauty can’t help but shine through!

Want to know how I can help you discover your own true beauty? Just e-mail me at Michele@OneChicMama.com to set up a 15-minute get acquainted call and discover how you can look your best each and every day!

Photo Credit: Solve Sundsbo from http://www.bvonstyle.com