They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but sometimes, you just can’t seem to shake off the nagging feeling that the idea is one big lie.
And you’re not alone.
Research has found that among women who are over the age of 18, a whopping 80% are unhappy with the way they look.
Why does this happen? Why is an overwhelming percentage of people dissatisfied with the way their bodies and faces look—be it their weight, face/body shape or other physical features?
There are many reasons; from divergent cultural and societal conditioning to issues related to self-esteem, limiting beliefs, and even unmet human needs, it depends on the person.
If any of these factors resonate with you, here are three simple steps to help you find peace with the way you look.
Be Kind To Yourself
Have you ever caught a glance of yourself in a mirror at a shop or a café, only to find yourself thinking about how you have under-eye bags, that your hair looks a little funky, or that your face looks a little puffy?
Now think of this: would you ever say these things to a friend? Are they why you value them?
We hope you answered no.
The first step in accepting the way you look is to practice kindness toward yourself. Don’t tell yourself things you wouldn’t tell other people.
So next time you look in the mirror, try to focus on positive things about yourself.
Define Yourself In Ways Other Than Your Looks
Sometimes, it’s very hard to believe that looks don’t hold as much value as we think they do. And if you keep obsessing about your looks, you’re eventually going to lose track of everything else that is beautiful about you.
So the next time you feel yourself being judgmental about your physical appearance, write down things you like about yourself that have nothing to do with your looks.
These things could be the compassion you hold for others, your drive to improve, your ability to learn languages or the fact that you empathize with others.
Try to not make physical appearance what defines you.
Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs
One of the main reasons that people become displeased and dissatisfied with their looks is that they have formed limiting beliefs regarding them.
This happens when you repeatedly find yourself in situations where a certain belief is being reinforced, until it becomes your truth. In this case, it is the belief of ‘not looking good enough.’
Limiting beliefs can be overcome by satisfying the basic human needs that are associated with them. A technique called ‘reframing of needs’ gives your unmet needs a new context, making them easier to fulfill in adult life.
If you’re interested in looking into the ‘reframing of needs’ principle, you can download the NIKU application on your smartphone. The app is available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
The NIKU app functions as an online psychological counselor, and is one of the best personal coaching apps that aids personal development.
