I Feel Pretty
Major props to the message of empowerment behind Amy Schumer's new movie, I Feel Pretty. Fighting back against society's unrealistic beauty standards and gaining the confidence to totally transform your life. Why are some people more confident than others? Growing up, I was the quiet one, unsure of myself and jealous of the pretty, outgoing girls around me. I would constantly nitpick things that I disliked about myself and would complain about not being good at anything.
As I recently read in Jillian Michael's book Unlimited, "It's pretty easy to rattle off a list of things we don't like about ourselves. But how often have you spent time thinking of things about yourself that are awesome?" Jillian then continues to list 10 qualities about herself that she loves, including her courage, physique, humor and drive, among others. It may come off as conceited to some but it really stood out to me. People are generally modest when asked of their strengths. No one is perfect but why should we undermine ourselves rather than be proud?
Most of my friends are outgoing; I think that's why we get along. I don't like to be the center of attention and talkers need good listeners. Instead of looking at the glass half empty and being upset over my Type B personality, I view it from another perspective. I may not like to talk to large crowds but I can get my message across through writing.
Now it's my turn, Jillian. I love my:
hair
eyes
smile
physique
sarcasm
listening skills
positive attitude
ability to bargain hunt
newfound thirst for knowledge
I feel pretty when I:
smile
workout
help others
eat clean and green
wear a new outfit from said bargain hunt
I get a lot of compliments on my eyes, specifically for having long eyelashes. Most assume I use some fancy mascara when in reality I buy $5 drugstore makeup. Honestly, I’ve tried expensive brands and they just don’t do the same justice as my Maybelline bright yellow bottle. Think about the reoccurring compliments you get, my guess is that they're genuine. You shouldn't point out your flaws because it draws attention to an area that others may not even notice. Fine by me. Say you just got a terrible, uneven haircut. More than likely, you're the only one who notices. Others' will notice a change but it's the way you carry yourself that can determine their opinions. Rock it.
Besides my frugality, most of my self-love discoveries came about after moving to New York over 4 years ago, giving me a fresh start on life. No longer was I the quiet one and was finally able to form my own identity. I started reading self-help books for enjoyment and discovered a thirst for knowledge. I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and realized that "things" don't make me happy, they weigh me down. When I cleaned up my diet, eating more whole foods and less processed, I lost weight and friends started reaching out for advice. Their trust in me gave me the confidence to start this blog. It may have taken some time but I finally feel pretty.
What makes you feel pretty/handsome?
-Mallory
