We often think about beauty as a physical thing. And rightfully so, because when we talk about beauty, it’s mostly concerning something tangible. Growing up, “beauty” was something I grappled with daily. I felt like the ugly duckling in all of my friend groups as I was chubby and short. I looked nothing like my Barbies, the girls in the magazine, or the women I saw on TV.
It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered beauty wasn’t just a physical thing; it was an emotional and mental feeling. And get this: I could create that feeling within myself even if I didn’t represent society’s beauty standards. Once I started thinking of beauty as a feeling, I realized beauty is subjective; everyone has a different interpretation of it. Beauty is about feeling fulfilled and vibrant, and when I felt those two things, I knew I could take on the world.
Feeling good, unique, and gorgeous is an irresistible desire. But more importantly, we want to feel like we are enough. It’s difficult to feel like we are good enough with an abundance of unwanted feedback and the inundation of perfectly edited images.
And it’s not just me or you who feel this way—it’s everyone, even the people you think don’t have a problem feeling confident and beautiful in their own skin.
I recite these and other affirmations to myself every morning while looking in the mirror before I leave my apartment. These words set my intentions and the tone for my day. They make me feel vibrant, radiant, beautiful, and empowered. Intention setting is critical to taking charge of your narrative and the day ahead of you. If you tell yourself you are going to have a great day, you set the intention of surrounding yourself with things that make you feel great. It also helps you overcome obstacles that may derail your good day. They might just be words, but when you confront yourself with positive thoughts and moving sentiments, you change your own narrative and unleash your inner beauty.