We’re certain that many of you are shaking your heads or snickering while thinking, “I have other, more important things to worry about than what I look like right now.” And, you could be right, but you might also be wrong…
Everyone has different perceptions of what it means to look good. Some of us are tall, short, thin, plump, blond, dark, rosy cheecked, olive skinned, etc.! Truthfully, different looks are attractive to different people; you could never please them all, right? But that’s not really what it’s all about.
When you hear the word beauty, what do you think of… maybe a lipstick that’s meant to make you feel confident the minute you put it on? Or maybe it’s wellness – that intimate relationship we cultivate within ourselves, a state of happiness that’s divorced from material things, but just as real. So yes, there’s a lot more to life than a new hemline or a fabulous pair of Choo’s. Thing is, looking good and feeling good are interlinked e.g., if you have a bad sleep cycle, eat lots of junk food, and don’t exercise you probably won’t feel so good; fixing these areas of your life would also lead you to look better.
Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire comments in her book: Mind what you wear: The Psychology of Fashion, that clothing affects a person’s mental processes and perceptions of others. Research shows that first impressions are formed in less than a tenth of a second!
Society puts a lot of pressure on us to look good; every day is class picture day, right? Then along came cell phones with built in cameras, and blogs and Facebook and Twitter. Every picture can be posted and pinned and shared, images can be tweeted and retweeted, scrutinised and commented upon.
So, what is it that you’ll get out of caring about your appearance? If it’s predominantly confidence, or increasing your self-esteem, go for it! Looking good will make you a more vibrant and energetic human being; more appealing to others. You’ll be noticed and remembered, respected and appreciated. People will pay attention to you, listen to you and seek your company; making you more influential and successful. Seriously, everyone wants to feel good, and if looking good is a means to accomplish that, why not?
Looking good doesn’t have to be about expensive grooming products or hour-long facials. It’s really about moving towards your best self, inch by inch. So, compare yourself, look around you. You have more than most. Also, don’t compare yourself to the 1% of the population that might have more or look better, or seem smarter. Focus on your full cup.
Create your own style. What’s so wonderful about the 21st century is that we don’t need to conform to trends. Wear whatever makes you feel happy and confident and still remain stylish.
Ladies, get a new dress, or update an old jacket with new buttons. Changing your hairstyle could also completely change the way you look and feel. Develop a healthy lifestyle. Yes, it’s clichéd, but there’s nothing that beats this one! Eat healthy, sleep more, drink lots of water and exercise.
Also, be kind to yourself, do something you love every day and smile; it’s originally you, and completely free and priceless!
When you look good, you feel good. So, invest in yourself… in your looks, your health, your well-being, and in your future.
Source: www.pickthe brain.com, www.huffingtonpost.com, liveboldandbloom.com, www.pitlanemagazine.com, www.wikihow.com, www.goodlifemantra.com, www.independent.co.uk, realfoodswitch.com, lifelabs.psychologies.co.uk, www.nytimes.com, www.bitrebels.com, www.boldsky.com
