It’s okay if you don’t feel beautiful or confident every day.
You will not always feel confident, no matter who you are. Hormones fluctuate, weight fluctuates, and life becomes difficult. That’s fine, and it happens to everyone. The key to having off days is to have a plan to fall back on when you’re not feeling your best.
Perhaps nothing in your closet looks good on you, or maybe you were broken up with. Whatever the reason, things happen in life that corresponds to not feeling pretty or confident. Self-care is essential for dealing with the emotions that come with not feeling your best. It is critical to remember that this is only a brief moment and that the feelings and situation will change.
You can prevent yourself from spiraling out of control if you teach yourself to become aware of your thoughts when you don’t feel confident. If you recognize that you are having a bad day or are losing confidence, you can engage in activities that will lift your spirits and attitude. The key is to plan ahead of time a “safety care plan” for when you are not at your best.
Make a list of self-care activities that you can do when you realize you’re having a bad day. I’ve included some suggestions below.
When you don’t feel beautiful, try these things to lift you up:
Vision boards: Do you want to feel more beautiful? Engage yourself in virtual beauty and inspiration. Create ‘boards’ on a platform like Pinterest that reflect what you find attractive. Focus on your favorite looks, from clothing to shoes to exotic interiors, and imagine yourself in your virtual closet. Collecting images of beautiful things can help you organize your thoughts and find your sense of style. It’s also something relaxing and fun to do.
Move your body: Movement sends natural endorphins to your brain, making you feel better. If you use an app like Map My Run, you can choose an activity to track your distance and the calories you burn! You can also write it down if you’re a more hands-on person. Keep track of your daily physical activities. Even something as simple as dancing in your room can make a difference.
Wear your favorite outfit: Everyone has a go-to outfit that they wear when everything else fails. When you don’t feel like anything else is working, always have one or two looks ready. Knowing you have a reliable outfit will make you feel beautiful no matter what your mood is.
Get a Manicure and Pedicure: Getting a manicure and pedicure is beneficial to one’s soul. The warm water, as well as the attention and glam, are the antidote to feeling your best. Most nail salons, thankfully, allow you to walk in and get immediate attention.
When you don’t feel confident, try these activities to boost your attitude:
Make a playlist: Making a playlist of your favorite songs that will lift your spirits and boost your confidence. Roll down the windows, grab a latte, and belt out a tune at the top of your lungs.
Laugh: Laughter is truly the best medicine. Watch some stand-up comedy, read some funny memes, or listen to a comedy podcast. Do something to make yourself laugh so that you can regain your confidence.
Teach someone something: Confidence stems from competence. Teach someone something while reminding yourself of your abilities and worth.
Connect With Nature: Take off your shoes and walk in the grass—really, take off your shoes and walk in the grass. Walking or ‘grounding’ yourself is a great way to relieve stress, calm anxiety, and boost confidence.
Watch a Meaningful Movie: The majority of films are based on the Hero’s Journey. This is a concept where the main character overcomes a challenge and flourishes into the best version of themselves. Find a great movie to watch on the big screen, grab some popcorn, and sit back to be inspired to be more confident.
You don’t always have to look great and feel beautiful and confident. It’s okay to have a bad day now and then; however, don’t leave it on for more than a day or two. When you have a bad day, remember your self-care plan and push those negative feelings to the side.