Dear Ladies: (& Gents!)

I found this website (Operation Beautiful)  a while ago, and I found it to be so inspiring! Every woman and young girls alike have days where they don’t think they’re beautiful, and that’s just awful.  The other day while visiting my Grandmother, she commented on how “ugly” she was feeling.  I was heartbroken.   She is eighty-five, living by herself in her own house, and the strongest woman I know.  Really, she’s an all-time trooper, not to mention gorgeous!  I of course, told her she was beautiful and meant it.  She said, “in your eyes I am, but not in mine..”  ):  What’s wrong here?  Even in old age we still have our doubts, instead we should be embracing what makes us who we are.  That little beauty mark is there for a reason, embrace it.  There’s a slight rise/bump in your nose for a reason, embrace it.  Stretch marks, wrinkles, etc. Deal with them… I can’t stress it enough, you’re still beautiful! The point here, and the point of the website is to embrace yourself and think positively.  Negative self-talk hurts you emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Operation Beautiful is basically all about the positive. What you do is scribble down a simple uplifting note and stick it on a bathroom mirror of a public restroom; at work, at the gym, at school, at the shopping mall, etc. These acts can really brighten up a stranger’s day, and they just might need a pick-me-up!!  I’m definitely going to be writing a bunch of post-it notes this weekend and put them up during the week at my college. (:

Three Steps to Believing You’re Beautiful:

Step 1:  Rebut the Inner Negative Voice;  challenge these negative voices- give yourself a bit of praise, find something positive in the situation.
Step 2:  Practice Self Nurturing;  treat yourself as a worthwhile person- get healthier, take some “me” time, reward yourself for accomplishments, make a list of things you like about yourself and/or your success’, “fake it until you make it!”
Step 3:  Get Help from Others;  get support through friends, family, teachers, professors, advisors, therapists, counsellors they’d be glad to help!

P.S.: A cute idea that I’ve used is buying a little notebook/journal and having a section where people who are close to you can write a “little yearbook message” basically, a little blurb of what they like about you, and best wishes.  I find this really helpful, especially if I’m having a bad day.  Great little memento too! (: