In this day and age, a lot of emphasis is put on physical appearance. It is set in some people’s minds that in order to succeed, you have to look the part. But really, is outer beauty or physical appearance all there is? Does lack of beauty really keep us from succeeding in this competitive world, whatever it is that we are striving for? Or if we do have it and somehow succeed, does it necessarily guarantee our happiness and satisfaction in life? Or will things never be enough and we’ll just keep craving for more?
I say no. There is more to life than having to prove yourself physically to this world. Yes, outer beauty is also important, but with beauty alone and no brains and heart, you can only go so far. In reality, being trashy and mean just turns people off. What’s the point of being on the top when its cold and dark because you’re alone? This is where inner beauty comes in. It often requires kindness, compassion, a sense of humor, and other ideal traits, and it’s something that’ll not only enhance outer beauty (you glow when you’re happy, after all), but it’ll also make for a stronger, more interesting personality. Keep reading to find out how you can make that inner beauty shine through so others can see it.
1. Learn to accept your physical flaws as well as your pretty points.
“I have nice eyes,” “I have a great smile,” “My body has curves, and I like it that way”—reaffirming your right to any shape and color is one way to boost your confidence and happiness level. Remember that nobody is perfect and that if you have flaws (like everyone else does) there are also good things about your body. The confidence you’ll build will be the first step for you to find inner beauty and give off a better glow to the world. Who wants to be with someone who is awkward and insecure, anyway? You have got to learn to accept your flaws, keep the positive things about yourself in mind, and love yourself. Yes, it may take time but always remind yourself about these every morning until it is embedded in your mind.
2. Enhance your good qualities and work on the bad.
Even if you don’t always have to prove yourself physically, you probably still also feel that you have to prove something to others with your personality. It is what gets you jobs, friends, and a life partner. List your good qualities you have and work on polishing. Accept that you are a flawed human being, but make sure you identify these flaws and can work to minimize their impact. Am I a dedicated person? In what aspect of my life do I show dedication? What new things can I do to show this? You will then be able to hone these qualities more and keep getting better at it! Besides, when other people see something positive in you, its hard not to attract them.
3. Be at peace with yourself.
Part of inner beauty is being at peace with oneself. When you are at peace with yourself, it shows because you will emit a more positive vibe that others will absolutely love about you. How you may ask does one do this? Accept your past, banish your insecurities, and keep calm and plan for the future. Think about it. If you take the time to find your moral and ethical center, it will help you navigate life’s twists and turns all the better. It will also help you identify your goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses. And if you want others to accept you, the first step to doing that is to accept yourself.
4. Avoid toxic people.
- GIF from Mean Girls via Giphy
As the saying goes, you are the company you keep. We are trying to achieve inner beauty here, remember? Sticking with toxic people will just disrupt the whole process you are trying to follow. Chances are, their toxicity will trickle down to you and you might end up as screwed as they are. And no one wants that. So do yourself and your life a favor and stick with positive people, even if it means eliminating the negative ones from your life and from your Friends list. Those that feel good about themselves and see the good in others. Basically those that will influence you to continue wanting to be a better person.
[crp]5. Find and do what makes you happiest.
- GIF from Sabrina via Giphy
Just like confidence and being at peace with yourself, happiness shows on the outside. And yes, it has a positive effect on how you look too. As the quote says: smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. Being happy keeps the wrinkles away. Who wouldn’t want to avoid developing them prematurely? So we suggest doing the things you love often to help keep your inner beauty shining as bright as the sun. Love reading? Why not read a few chapters in your spare time? Enjoy the outdoors? Then go on a picnic with your friends or loved ones. Yes, life can be stressful. But don’t give into it. Stop yourself. Screaming at people when under stress and/or giving them an attitude will not do anything to help you achieve inner beauty, and it may have repercussions on your social life as well.
6. Be realistic, but also optimistic.
You know what they say—hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Remember that life isn’t perfect. In fact, nothing is perfect. Life has its ups and downs, and you won’t always get your way. We have to learn to be content with what we have and keep in mind that line from Desiderata: “There will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” If you allow yourself to become envious of others, you will indeed just look bitter. That neither looks nor feels good. You’ll probably end up saying bad things about the object of your envy. Instead of doing this, think of the positive things in your life. Think of the things you’ve achieved, the things that are currently going good in your life..
7. Help others.
Share your blessings, and they’ll return to you threefold. And maybe you don’t recognize it, but when you extend a helping hand to someone in need, you’ll find it triggers some happiness on your part too. You’ll get that warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and you may possibly make a new friend. Or many new friends, if you’re lucky. Join an organization that supports the same things you do. Or if you’re still in college, help a classmate that doesn’t get that new lesson. You can also donate old clothes to those who need it. There are so many ways to help out. All you need to do is take the initiative and find the right way for you.
8. Be genuinely nice to others.
This is one of the most important and visible ways to show your inner beauty. Be nice to the people you come across, whether you know them or not! Start your day right, for example, by greeting office mates or classmates a good morning. Smile at people even if you haven’t been formally introduced or are from different departments. Complement people more, but make sure you mean it. Little things like these can mean the world to others. And being nice won’t kill you, will it? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
All these 8 ways boil down to one thing: stay positive. In order to let your inner beauty shine, you must have a positive outlook in life. Trust me, choosing to do the things listed above may very well change your life. You’ll have a better glow and will attract the right people. Again, smile and the world smiles with you.