How to Feel More Beautiful

Hello Friends!

It's Nana, and I'm back with another blog post. In today's topic, I wanted to discuss beauty from the inside out. I think we all get into slumps or have bad days where we just don't feel beautiful. Whether it's our hearts or our physical beauty, I believe every girl wishes they could be more attractive.

It took me a while to write this one because I personally have been struggling with this issue since my pregnancy. With pregnancy comes bloating, fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings. In addition, it was hard to feel comfortable in my skin when I was in a body that felt almost alien. It didn't help that every week my body was changing either. But, after a long internal battle, I was able to find some peace again.

Whether you are going through something similar or are just looking for a fun read, here are my tips on how to feel more beautiful.

1) Pamper Yourself

Taking some time for self-care is the key to feeling your utmost best! So take a day off, take a hot bubble bath, turn on some relaxing music, and light a candle. After your bath, put on a face mask or pore strip, then moisturize. Next, put on your cutest lounge outfit, spray a spritz of perfume, and paint your nails. Finally, order some food and put on a movie or go out to your patio and read a good book. Do whatever it is that makes you feel like the princess you are.

2) Listen to Beauty Self-Affirmations

When I went to YouTube, I was genuinely surprised to see so many self-affirmation videos on feeling beautiful. It made me feel not so alone because if these videos existed, it meant that other women needed them as well. I find that listening to at least one of these every morning was a great way to start my day, feeling confident, self-assured, and radiant. My favorite part about many of these videos is that they focus on both outer and inner beauty. Try it out for a week and see if it changes your mindset.

3) Leave Yourself Some Love Notes

Who doesn't love a good love note? Something I've recently done was change my cellphone wallpaper to a beauty self-affirmation quote. So every morning when I wake up, or just whenever I happen to turn on my phone, I see the love note and read it to myself. I've also started posting sticky notes in places that I look at every day, which includes mirrors, doors, and, take caution but, my car dashboard. Keep it short. Something as simple as "I am beautiful," "I am kind," or "I am enough" should work. Repeat these affirmations to yourself. Even better, say them aloud and repeat them as much as needed until those words become your reality.

4) Dress Your Best

Okay, ladies, here is a hot tip to dressing your best: Plan your outfits at least one week in advance. The reason why is because if you're feeling rushed every morning to get to work or wherever it is that you need to be, you're most likely going to pick out whatever is easiest. Now, as I am pregnant and many of my clothes don't fit anymore, I will admit to wearing plenty of sweatpants and t-shirts. But regardless, I do try my best to make the outfit as cute as possible and dress it up with jewelry or a pretty hair bow.

Another hot tip is to size up your clothing. You don't want to feel self-conscious all day because the shirt you're wearing is rolling up, or the waistband of your pants makes it look like you have a muffin top. But, of course, this is just a suggestion. If you feel that tight clothing makes you feel more beautiful, then wear it. I believe that looking our best can help us feel our best, and ultimately, more attractive.

5) Be Kind and Give Compliments

I will forever preach about kindness. If there's anything that Disney has taught me, it's that true beauty stems from the heart, and the easiest way to show it is through compliments. And I'm not talking about mediocre compliments such as 'cute dress' or 'nice hair,' although it is a great place to start. No, I'm talking about more personal compliments. Compliments such as, "You're such a hardworking person. I can learn a lot from you," or "I love how you are with your children. I can tell you really love them." These compliments are more personal, and they make the person you're complimenting feel good about themselves, and in turn, you feel good about yourself as well. Unfortunately, the truth is that most of us don't give out enough compliments, so when we do compliment someone, we bring a little happiness into the world, and isn't that such a beautiful thing?

6) Surround Yourself with People that Make You Feel Good

I'm personally not a fan of cutting out people as I believe there is some good in everyone. But if there is someone constantly bringing you down or making you feel awful about yourself, it's time to let go of that relationship. There's a saying that goes, "You are the sum of the five people closest to you." Even if you may not believe it sometimes, know that there are so many kind and loving people in the world ready to uplift and encourage you. So open your heart to those that make you feel good and let yourself become closer to them. Surround yourself with friends and family that you genuinely enjoy being around. Healthy, happy relationships are founded on give and take. This means you rarely if ever, feel devalued or not enough around this person, and they, in return, feel the same about you.

7) Laugh A LOT and Find Joy in the Little Things

There is nothing more attractive than a happy person, and laughter is the easiest way to show it. Don't take life so seriously, and especially don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. Perspective is everything. The way I look at it is that simple mistakes are so minuscule, there's no reason to dwell on them. For example, if you trip, get a paper cut, or took a wrong turn, just laugh about it. Chances are, the person next to you will laugh along because laughter is contagious. So crack a joke or two, and even if no one laughs with you, laugh on your own. Anyone close to me knows that I love to joke around. Life otherwise is too dull. I admit that it takes some practice, but the more you do it, the happier you'll feel and the more fun you'll have.

Before I end this post, I just want to let you know that you are beautiful. God calls you His masterpiece. You were fearfully and wonderfully made, so walk around like the piece of art that you are. Be kind and compassionate to yourself, as if you were your own best friend. You wouldn't call your bestie 'ugly' or 'worthless,' so don't do it to yourself either.

And remember that true beauty is not defined by outward appearances but by what is in your heart. So let your beauty shine from the inside out and let the world enjoy the wonderful creation that you are.

With love,

Princess Nanabuns