4 Ways to Feel Good About How You Look

Whether we like it or not, our physical appearance is the first thing that people notice. The people that we meet often make snap judgements based on the way we dress, the way we walk, our heights and the physical structure of our faces.

People often make assumptions about our competence and personality just based on how we look.

So, despite the fact that appearances can be misleading, it remains a significant factor in things like job interviews, university scholarships, sports recruitment, dates and elections.

It’s an unfortunate truth that we all have to face for as long as we live. Luckily, there are ways to navigate this reality in a way that can benefit you.

In this blog, we’re going to go over four ways to feel good about your appearance.

1. Focus on the positives no matter how small
   Our brains have a bias that makes us focus more on negative situations rather than the positive ones. In early human history, having a negative bias was useful as it allowed us to focus on effectively handling encounters with predators and other things that posed a danger to our survival. However, our brains maintained this negative bias into modern times. As such, we tend to dwell on negative but non-life-threatening situations such as being made fun of or being rejected for a job. This, in turn, affects our confidence and hinders our progress in life.Because of this, one of the first things that you should do is to focus on the positive traits that you do have. At first, this will likely require a lot of conscious effort on your part. However, if you’re able to boost your confidence just a little bit, it will be well worth it in the long run.Maybe you’ve been told that you have nice hair or that your smile is reassuring. Perhaps your friends think your sense of style is unique. Whatever it is, keep reminding yourself of your positive traits so that your confidence never gets too low to the point of paralysis.If you find that the people around you are being too negative, find a new circle of friends that lifts you up.

   Another thing to consider is that most people judge appearances holistically. So, even if you think your nose is a little crooked, it’s highly likely that most people you meet won’t make a big deal out of it. In fact, they might not even notice it at all.

2. Realise that beauty is largely subjective
   Part of being confident is being able to think for yourself as opposed to just accepting what society tells you.If you don’t want to be restricted by societal standards, it’s important to define what beauty really means to you. Are the tall, skinny, blonde and fair-skinned models that you see on social media the only people you find beautiful? Of course not.Despite what the media might imply, beauty is nuanced, widespread and often subjective. In fact, this is exemplified on an exaggerated level in the music industry. If you notice, there are plenty of successful musicians that aren’t conventionally attractive. However, because they’re so confident in their unique traits (and their skills), they are often admired by many.No, you don’t have to be a famous rapper to feel good about yourself. However, it does help to accept your uniqueness as they do.

   Realise that different people find beauty in different things. So, don’t be afraid to put your idiosyncrasies and quirks out there and see who resonates with you.

3. Change what you can
   A lot of people believe that they can’t do anything about the way that they look. To a certain extent, this is true. For example, you can’t do much to change your height, your eye colour, or the shape of your ab muscles.However, these aren’t the only things that affect your appearance. Things like your overall fitness, your fashion sense, your hairstyle and your personal hygiene can easily be changed with just a little bit of effort. If you’re able to work on these factors, you will be able to improve your appearance in a sustainable and healthy manner.Don’t be afraid to admit that you have much room for improvement. There is no shame in trying to improve your appearance. So, hit the gym, ask your fashionable friend to help you pick out clothes, go to a hairdresser that you like and, in general, do your best to take care of your body. This will significantly increase your confidence and people will notice the changes.
4. Cosmetic procedures
   
   If you are truly struggling to accept your appearance, cosmetic procedures may be a suitable option. For those who have physical imperfections due to natural causes or because of an accident, dermal fillers can be a great confidence booster.Before deciding to get plastic surgery, you should always consult a medical professional beforehand to see if fillers are suitable for your situation. In addition, always make sure that your chosen surgeon is a reliable one. Though dermal filler injections are non-invasive, it can still pose a danger to your health if you happen to have allergies or if the proper safety measures aren’t put in place.Make no mistake about it, the superficiality of modern society often makes life more difficult than it needs to be. However, despite our numerous disadvantages, we are not entirely powerless.We owe it to ourselves and to those who support us to bravely live a happy and fulfilling life in the face of these harsh biases. Hopefully, the tips above can help you look in the mirror in the morning with a smile on your face.