If I got a nickel every time I heard someone utter the faded words, “It’s what on the inside that counts," I’m pretty sure that I would be able to buy myself a car—raggedy and creaking—but a car nonetheless. But if I got a nickel for every person that actually believed that wholeheartedly, well, I’d have little to nothing.
I truly believe that no one wholly disregards physically beauty, call me a cynic, but we’re humans—we’re attracted to “beautiful” things. We’re constantly barraged with ads that glorify the perfectly sculpted body of a Greek deity and the bone structure of a genetically modified android. It’s pretty extreme to only appreciate either the internal or external characteristics of a person, which is why I think it’s a balance of both. The only hiccup to this ideal balance is ourselves. Writing from a woman’s perspective, we are truly our harshest critiques. It’s a raging war in our minds with constant comparisons, negative thoughts, highly improbably standards, and an idealistic future that doesn’t include any life mishaps. I don’t mean to generalize, for every person is a unique individual in their thoughts and actions, but the battles we face on how we perceive ourselves has been going on since the beginning of womankind.
It’s possible to shift our self-perception to be more appreciative, allowing us to experience each day positively and become receptive to the good vibes around us in a dominantly insensitive world. Condemning this change in point-of-view as naivety, ignorance, or innocence is totally uncool because who are any of us to know what is completely “right” or “wrong” for a person’s life? Misery likes company and don’t forget it. The way we look on the outside doesn’t define us or limit what we can achieve. Even if seems that beauty prospers and rules the world, what many people try to forget is that we get old, wrinkly, and weak. Our strength dissipates, the bluest pair of eyes begin to slowly fade and what was once muscle becomes a sagging member. When you’re gone from this place, do you just want to have been the “pretty face” or the “muscular” one?
Instead of lugging yourself out of your bed in the morning expecting a dull and annoying day, there’s a myriad of little, seemingly unimportant choices that can make a whole lot of difference. No one looks great in the morning, dragging himself or herself to the bathroom and croaking indistinct zombie moans. As difficult as it can be, and even if you have to fake it (sometimes that’s just the best way to start), remind yourself that today is a new day, you’re going to make it a good one. As you walk out the door, be prepared for the negative thoughts that are going to attack and try to infiltrate your mind. You’re going to see someone who looks like they got up five hours earlier than they should have, just to get dressed and apply makeup; she looks impeccable. Right there remind yourself to stop comparing. Stop. Next, you’re walking to get some breakfast or lunch and the woman in front of you looks like she could be on America’s Next Top Model with her perfect profile. Firstly, why are you even watching that, dude? That show is made to make you feel like crap. And they’re so whiny. Secondly, don’t grab your phone or iPod and try to catch a reflection of yourself in order to do a full-face comparison. If you’re incessantly trying to figure out what’s “wrong” with your face or your body, you’re ignoring the fact that you’re one of a kind. I know, just as trite as “it’s what’s on the inside that counts”, but really, scientifically and everything, there’s no one else on this planet exactly like you. It’s time to embrace the person you are intrinsically and on the outside, because if you’re not loving yourself then you’re giving in to the lie that you’re not good enough until you buy certain soap, shampoo, or shoes. Next time you feel inadequate and intensely crestfallen at your supposed lack of achieving some idealistic beauty, think about who or what is taking advantage of you feeling that way. I can name a few companies.
