“Everybody’s insecure about something, but you’re all beautiful!” – Sounds familiar, right? I’m not trying to say you aren’t all beautiful – because I’m certain that you are – but how many times in your life have the Internet’s beauty quotes actually made you less insecure? If you’re anything like me, the answer is zero. Luckily, you’re not alone. Here’s a list of the top six things I’m self conscious about. Come, laugh with me.
1. My Scent
I can’t even begin to explain how self-conscious I am over how I smell. This is probably one of the less common insecurities, but I know at least some of you have felt this way. Whether I’m on a crowded bus on my way home from FitRec (the worst) or freshly showered and strolling down Comm Ave, I’m always thinking about how I smell, whether it be my breath or BO.
Remedy: Fortunately, this is a pretty easy fix. I make sure I always have breath mints in my pocket, which I end up eating like candy, and I use body spray every single day – it’s cheaper than perfume, and I know I always smell fresh.
2. My Obnoxious Laugh
What girl doesn’t think her laugh is atrocious? Every time my roommate shows me a funny YouTube video or puts a goofy picture on my wall, I laugh like a hyena – and I’m sure all of third floor Shelton hears it. Around my friends, it’s not too big of a deal, but then comes that awkward moment on a date or the bus, and it’s all downhill from there….
Remedy: Let’s be honest – laughing is too great to care about how it sounds. Sure, it bothers me a little, but I get over the embarrassment pretty quick.
3. The Ghost-Skin
To be frank: I’m pale. As an Irish girl with transparent skin, I’ve had my fair share of sunburns. Camera flashes make me look like a ghost (no, literally), and I never get a golden glow over the summer, but I refuse to go tanning because it’s just so awful for my skin. I always feel a little self-conscious in the spring, when everyone’s just beginning to break out the shorts, but who doesn’t? Sure I’d prefer not to be Kiera the Friendly Ghost, but I’d take that over an orange spray-tan any day.
Remedy: Fake tans are terrible for you and spray tans occasionally look orange, but some moisturizers are specifically designed to tint your skin. It isn’t unhealthy, and you can get a head start on your summertime tan by using it in the spring. Just a word of warning: it works like a stain, so make sure you cover all of your visible skin – I’ve known quite a few people who ended up with a very obvious tan line in the strangest of places, all because they didn’t rub the lotion in well enough.
4. My Angry Face
It took me until my junior year of high school to realize this, but apparently when I’m just walking along the street, not having a conversation, I look mean. No, not even mean, just straight up angry. I often have people ask me what’s wrong when I feel perfectly fine. I’m self–conscious over this one because I’m convinced people feel a bit taken aback or just intimidated when they see me making the Angry Face, but I can’t control it.
Remedy: Never walk anywhere without a friend to keep you engaged and friendly! …Kidding. But uh…smile a bit?
5. Breathing Too Loud
Ever had that really awkward moment where your friend turns to you and just says “Wow, you’re breathing really loud!”? Then you get the pleasure of suffocating yourself for the next 20 minutes while you try to breathe at a normal human being’s volume. I’ve been the victim of this awkward moment so many times that now I’m self conscious about it all the time, but especially when I have ear buds in, walking to class.
Remedy: My fantastic solution has been to hold my breath for a bit and then sigh, because that’s a breath that’s supposed to be loud. But that’s probably not healthy and it gets weird after about two sighs. Luckily, most people can’t tell when they’re breathing too loudly – so take solace in the fact that it isn’t just you.
6. My Stubby, Bitten Nails
Yes, I’m a nail biter. Yes, it is gross. And yes, I have tried to stop. But for those of you who also bite your nails, you know how hard it is to quit – half the time I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Bitten nails just aren’t cute, and they’re nearly impossible to paint. I feel a little ashamed any time I have to put my hands in someone’s view, like when I’m pointing at something.
Remedy: Stop biting! I’ve just started my newest attempt to quit, and am going strong. For those of you still struggling, there are nail polishes that are specifically made to make your nails stronger (and thus harder to bite) and some that just taste awful, to deter you from even trying. Both of these can be found at most drug stores.
I know these six are only the tip of the iceberg; girls are self-conscious about everything. Remembering to laugh at yourself is important–everyone needs to be able to take a joke. The next time you’re feeling self-conscious about something, just try to put it in perspective: will you really remember this in a week or two?