by REBECCA SPARROW
On the weekend, a friend of mine decided to hit me with a barrage of insults.
She said (amongst other things):
‘You have bad teeth. Your ears are too small. Your lips are too thin. And you look pregnant in that top.”
I stepped on her foot in retaliation. At least I would have, if it had actually happened.
My friend didn’t say any of that stuff to me. I didn’t need her to. I was saying it to myself this morning as part of my internal monologue (along with: your arse is too big and why the hell do you have a pimple on your face when you’re 40?)
I know I’m not alone in being guilty of hate-speak towards my own reflection. Let’s face it, most of us are in an abusive relationship with ourselves.
Which is why I love this 3 minute video HARD. It’s a reminder that we are each uncommonly beautiful. Take a look:
If you can’t watch the video, it lists the 10 ways to make sure everyone knows you’re beautiful (and what real beauty is).
1. Remember there are differences but there are no flaws.
2. There’s only one fashion rule: if it makes you feel awesome, wear it.
3. Be willing to be vulnerable so you can also fully experience joy.
4. Control your own perspective. Perspective is everything.
5. Another word for sexy? Confident.
6. Breathe. Deeply and every day.
7. Express yourself often, kindly and without apology.
8. The adventure is in the attempt. Embrace possibility.
9.To remain youthful, never stop looking for the wonderful.
10. Create your own story. Never let others create it for you.
So who’s behind it? American photographer, writer and speaker Karen Worland.
Of the video, Karen says, ‘As part of my life list, I set myself the goal of taking 1000 portraits, without any agenda other than seeing if I could do it. What resulted is an ongoing body of evidence showing that everyone — every single one of us — is uncommonly beautiful.’
When was the last time you felt beautiful? How do you (or would you) teach your daughter to truly believe she is gorgeous?
Top Comments
I love the second rule the most. That's true - when you wear sth that makes you FEEL amazing, you will also LOOK amazing. For me the best self-confidence source are high heels - I feel beautiful everytime I wear them (I am not the tallest person on earth, luckily, as neither is my better half). I believe the whole concept of flaws, "being too fat/skinny" is never good to talk about when there're kids around - well, its not good to talk about without having them by your side either, but they will not just simply wake up one day and ask you if they're beautiful unless someone will put that idea in their heads. That's why I am always really picky when it comes to the films they're watching, books they read and also the topics of conversations they are a part of. Lovely post, thanks for sharing!
So true. I think being a mum and having a different body to pre-baby many mums can be even more self conscious about how we look.
I am definitely quite self conscious although most ppl always say to me that I am 'skinny', I don't see myself the way I used to look.
I admire women who can be happy and self confident with how they look.
Full Time Mum
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