We all deserve to feel more beautiful.
There's a tiny part of my brain snickering right now. She is that girl that called me fat when I was 15, she is that voice of self doubt that tells me 'you're not good enough', she is my anxiety and depression, she is every single nasty thing anyone has ever said to me.
I shut her off and laugh. And you should too!
'Beauty' is a term that's really drilled into us from a young age. And by drilled I mean hammered, stapled and nailed to us.
But what exactly is beauty? I like to think of it as something that's not just physical, but something that's inside. It's happiness. It's self assurance. It's being as physically healthy and beautiful as you can naturally be.
I look back on photos of myself from five years ago and I can just see how darn miserable I looked. Suffering from extreme depression, low self-esteem, I was overweight, unhappy and stuck in an ultimate rut! I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would finally feel beautiful.
But this isn't about me and my violin-themed 'sad story'; it's about you!
I found ways to feel incredibly beautiful without that nose job I planned when I was 14, without crazy diets, without becoming 'Instagram famous'!
Today, I'm going to share those techniques with you...
Find Your Inner Peace With Nature
The beauty of nature is something that can inspire and uplift us. Whenever I'm having an 'ugly' or down day, a simple walk in somewhere really beautiful can totally turn this around.
Find somewhere in your local area where you can really loose your mind in nature, this could be a local park, a beach, a walking trail, or even a street full of beautiful architecture.
Focus your mind solely on the physical beauty of your surroundings and feel your insecurities slip away!
Be As Well Groomed As You Can Be
I'm not saying do a full-blown Kylie Jenner-style lip thing or bleach your naturally dark hair, but personal grooming is a must for both looking and feeling your best.
Find a hair-cut that flatters your face shape and makes you feel great (Byrdie has a great piece on this). Paint your nails your favorite colour or spoil yourself with a manicure. And never underestimate the power of good old-fashioned hair removal!
Smile, Laugh: Repeat
Imagine the most physically perfect girl you know, now plaster a constant frown on her face. NOT pretty!
Smile and laugh and it becomes contageous! You will feel happier and more beautiful. Plus: your positivity will uplift others too!
Exercise
Exercise is a two way street: it makes you look better and makes you feel better. Since exercising regularly, I have felt happier, more energetic and felt more positive when I've stood in front of the dreaded mirror!
If the idea of squats and burpees terrifies you, don't fret! Try yoga, a sportsclass or go for power walks with friends. If you enjoy exercising your more likely to stick at it. And more exercise means more endorphin's and endorphin's feel GREAT!
Know Your Makeup
The right or wrong makeup can physically transform us for the right or wrong reason! Use your makeup as a tool kit to enhance what your momma gave you!
If you're not sure what kind of makeup look suits you, pop into your local department store and let a beauty consultant advise you.
Develop A Confident Sense of Style
Being sure in your sense of style and feeling amazing in what you wear is a sure-fire way to make you feel more beautiful!
If you're not sure, don't be afraid to experiment! Fashion is all about having fun! If you want more advice about finding your personal style, I wrote a piece on it aaaages ago that could help.
Relax
I order to you stop right now and breathe in for three seconds. Now out for four. And relaxxxx! Do you feel a bit better already. Taking out time to take a breather, chill out and watching Netflix in your knickers is a must and is nothing to feel guilty about! If a train keeps running all the time, it will eventually run out of steam.
Find Your Passion
Having a hobby is so rewarding and fulfilling and having a strong sense of love and purpose is a core part of feeling beautiful.
For me, the joy I get from The Daily Luxe and you, my readers, is something that makes me feel incredibly beautiful. Gosh Rach... pass the cheese...
Find your passion, whether it be painting, dance, sport, website building, and put your heart into it.
Connect With Animals
Animals do not judge physical beauty, these just judge kindness. Find some furry friends and interact with them!
Whether it's walking your dog, cuddling your cat, or simply watching the majestic birds in your garden, animals fill us with joy and make us feel beautiful.
Check out this gorgeous dog with only two legs. He isn't physically 'perfect', but he is still happy, lovable and inevitably beautiful.
Add Sparkles
Jewellery adds a bit of sparkle and can make us feel like a Queen when we were feeling like a pauper. As well as adding to your physical beauty, jewellery can remind us of loved ones and happy memories, especially when we wear keepsake or gifted jewellery.
I know this post was something a little bit different from me, but I felt like being a bit more raw and real.
Stay beautiful!
Rachel
xoxo