For some, image is everything and for others external appearance rarely shows us anything about the person they truly are. We live in a society where we are constantly striving for the hottest new look and social media platforms that were once made for expressing creativity have now become a showcase of unattainable ideals. Over time, likes have gone from being expressions of agreement to acts of reassurance. In a world obsessed with external beauty, it's even more important for us to feel well from within.
Ever since I was a little girl, I've enjoyed the act of getting dolled up. My obsession with makeup began when I was 11 years old and would spend hours playing with my mother's colorful collection of lipsticks and blushes. It wasn't until I was 13 years old that I learned how to properly apply it and by 15, my hair was another part of my look that I learned to perfect. From middle school until the end of college, glamming myself up was the only form of therapy I knew. Whenever I felt sad, applying a bold lip color would give me the power to take on my day. However, I never really took the time to figure out whether or not I truly felt beautiful on the inside.
The current pandemic forced me to discover the things that actually made me feel good. I learned that I'm a woman that laughs louder in the company of a dear friend. I smile when I feel the sun on my face during a long walk and I feel invigorated when I listen to a person talk about the things they're most passionate about. To my surprise, I've also found that eating well and exercising often help me to feel more beautiful than any beauty product ever has.
It is undeniable that there has been a huge shift towards wellness in the past year, and I can't help but understand why: external glamour is an accessory to the glow that comes from overall well being. So, in order look good you must first feel good. Detoxing doesn't always have to refer to your latest juice cleanse. Sometimes you have to declutter your closet, reconsider your circle of friends and work on the personal projects that are most important to you. Take the time to watch a good movie, read that book you've been meaning to get around to and manifest a life of ease and joy for yourself.
I firmly believe that beauty comes from within. Internal wellness has a tendency to radiate outwards and I've always found that to be one of the most attractive qualities in a person. To feel beautiful on the outside, one must start by first tending to their physical and mental needs. This may be the only time period in our lives when we have the chance to reflect and become the best version of ourselves before we emerge into a new post-pandemic era. I can only hope that as a society we all learn to soon develop a new definition of beauty.
F.S x
"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
- Audrey Hepburn