“Wow! You look so pretty today!” Now think about it, what clothes are you most likely wearing in that moment? A dress, nice shoes, styled hair, and a lot of makeup OR a sweatshirt, jeans, sneakers, and no makeup? Yep, it’s definitely the first option.
What do people say when we’re not dressed up? Most likely nothing. Now when you do receive those compliments, obviously you are grateful and flattered, but a part of you can’t help but wonder: How do I look the rest of the time?
Why is it that a well-styled outfit results in compliments and praise, and our everyday looks are met with silence? It’s as if we’re saying that beauty is only attained through the perfect outfit or layers of makeup.
I am here to let you know that that is NOT true. We all were created wonderfully and beautifully, and that is something that no amount of makeup or new clothes will buy or change.
As a society it is important that we change this mindset. We need to see the beauty, both internal and external, in ourselves and one another and start appreciating that on a regular basis.
Maybe that’s in the form of leaving a “you are beautiful” Post-It note in the library for a stranger to find, or texting your friends that in the morning, or even saying it to your reflection in the mirror; whatever that means for you, make an effort to stand up for beauty. Maybe someone told you looked nice today or even said you were beautiful. Or maybe you woke up not liking how you looked, or maybe no one said anything to you. Regardless of your situation, let me tell you right now: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. And, no, it’s not because of the clothes on your back or the makeup on your face. You are beautiful regardless of all that extra stuff.
You were beautiful yesterday. You are beautiful right now. You are beautiful tomorrow.