When I first saw this prompt, my immediate thought was that beauty is a word most people associate with women... Before now I paid no attention to makeup, skincare routines, or even fashion trends because I felt it wasn't a man thing but the more I thought about it one the more I realized that the idea behind this prompt applies to entirely everyone.
I used to believe that looking good was mostly about how people saw me...
Whenever i was going out, I wanted to look presentable.
Wherever I was attending an event, I wanted to make a good impression and then if people complimented my appearance, it felt so good... don't get me wrong oo... I'm not saying there's something wrong with that because I dodon'think anyone wants to walk around looking unkempt...
Now that I'm older I realized that the days I feel my best are not necessarily the days when people notice and complement me.... its mostly the days when I feel comfortable in my own skin.
These days, I still make an effort to dress well and look neat.
I like clean clothes, a good haircut, and carrying myself with confidence but I don't do it primarily for other people anymore I do it because it affects how I feel about myself.
There's something about taking care of yourself... It changes your mindset.
When I wake up I first cleanup properly, and prepare for the day and it makes me feel more focused and more confident.
Now It's not about seeking approval... It's about showing respect for myself and I've learned that what people call beauty is not just about physical appearances alone because some of the most attractive people I've met are not even nearly the most handsome or the most fashionable... They were people who radiate with kindness, confidence, humility, and positivity wherever they went... They had a way of making others feel comfortable... They had character and I think that's what "beauty from within" really means because on one hand a person can have a great appearance and still leave a bad impression if their attitude is bad and on the other hand, someone with a good heart, a positive spirit, and genuine confidence often stands out without even trying.
I have always believed that my manner of carriage and how I portray myself says more about me than the clothes I wear... values, character, how I treat people and how I handle challenges are all part of the image I present to the world.
So... do I try to look my best so that others see me positively?
Of course to some extent... We all care about first impressions right?. But to be honest the bigger reason is that I feel better when I take care of myself... Looking presentable gives confidence, but then real confidence comes from within not from the opinions of others and at the end of the day, the mirror isn't judging me it's simply reflecting the person I've chosen to become and that's the person I want to feel good about.
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