Statistics don’t lie and according to Dove’s research in 2016, only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful.
Isn’t this sad and tragic?
Because, I am sure, that just like me, you are surrounded by many beautiful women in all ages. There are some you adore, and some you may even envy. And yet they don’t see & appreciate their own beauty.
Not even the supermodels who get paid sky-high amounts are happy with their looks.
Why is that? Why are we so harsh on ourselves? Who has put those blinders on our eyes that hinder to see our own beauty? We can’t any longer blame the media for that. We have learned about the secrets of Photoshop. We know that there are teams of psychologist and human behaviour experts behind the advertisements that convince you to need that magic product that will make us beautiful.
And then the other.
“The purpose of commercial (media) is to induce mass sales. For mass sales, there must be a mass norm…By suppressing the individual, the unique, the industry assures itself a standard product for mass consumption” -Cognitive scientist and philosopher Noam Chomsky.
Think about it a second. There are people who manipulate you in order to sell you a promise of beauty and confidence. Because they know what you yet may not be aware of. They know that you are not feeling good enough being you, being in your skin. They have studied your doubts and insecurities. They know all about the cultural & religious conditions/ rules of our society that limit women (and men too). And they shamelessly use it for the sole purpose to make you buy the new thing.
And yes, a gorgeous lipstick or mascara never hurt anyone.
In fact, makeup is a great tool to express your personality and emphasise your beauty. Clothes can dress a person’s soul and become an outward expression of the inner self. Your appearance also is an important part of your branding and career.
However, you don’t need any of those to be beautiful.
Because you have it all in you.
Beauty is not out there; it is the reflection of your inner beauty. You carry it with you always. -Debases Mridha
It’s the real self within you what makes you truly attractive. It is the energy you radiate within. Your beauty indeed lies in your uniqueness and feeling good being in your skin.
“You manufacture beauty with your mind” -Augusten Burroughs.
It’s your beliefs about yourself and beauty that allows you to be manipulated. The infamous psychologist Albert Bandura discovered that a person’s genuine beliefs about themselves and their capabilities create their future.
So, if you believe that you are unattractive and unworthy you probably will fall into the trap of self-criticism and maybe even will give up on yourself. You will make yourself smaller and diminish your light, joy and passion.
Take back your power for the sake of yourself and for the sake of humanity. Being mindful, questioning your limiting beliefs and learning & practising self-love and eliminating all self-criticism can be the fastest way of building your confidence and stepping into your beautiful self.
The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. -Roseanne Barr
When you feel beautiful, you look beautiful.
I encourage you to get in touch with your inner beauty and femininity. To stop to compare yourself to others and instead of acknowledging & appreciating your uniqueness. Celebrate yourself – it raises your value, improves your health, vitality and wellbeing. Confidence; feeling good in your own skin is a muscle that you can strengthen. And, when you build up your own confidence you make bold(er) moves in your life and your career, and thus encouraging other women around you to develop their confidence & feeling great to be them too.
When you’re consciously projecting an aura of beauty, people around you will see you as more beautiful as well. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who feels great in her own skin. Allow yourself to be the unique, precious, special and important woman you are.
You are born to make this world more beautiful by being you and radiating your beauty.