When you hear the word beauty, what comes to mind?
We’ve all been conditioned to some degree by our culture, our upbringing, and the media to have different beliefs about what beauty means. Unfortunately, many of these beliefs are rooted in external beauty rather than natural or internal beauty. Each person has their own idea of what “being beautiful” means – whether a body type, piece of clothing, or accessory. With so many mixed messages, it can be challenging to connect with beauty on a more meaningful level.
Natural Beauty
Clean beauty is more than the products you use. It’s also a celebration of the natural beauty that comes from within.
Natural beauty is about honoring our bodies and feeling confident in our own skin. It’s about learning to find beauty in things like eye color, skin tone, hair color and texture, and body type. Appreciating unique birth marks, scars, or wrinkles that represent what we have experienced and the changes our bodies go through as we move through life’s stages are aspects of connecting with natural beauty.
Connecting with natural beauty means being more mindful of what you put in, and on your body and honoring what makes you unique.
Inner Beauty
Inner beauty is something that shines through from our inner, most authentic self. It’s found in how we present ourselves, our energy, and our relationship with others. Our inner world is reflected in what we show the outer world.
When we are aligned with our highest values and come from a place of love and integrity, there’s a lightness of spirit within us, a zest for life, and a brightness in our eyes that is far more beautiful than any products we use or clothing we wear. To learn more about inner beauty.
EXPLORE THE BEAUTY WITHIN
Whether conscious or not, humans are attracted to confidence and authenticity more than outer beauty. Imagine spending time with two people – one is beautiful based on external standards but uninspired, unhappy, and unfriendly. The other is not as externally “beautiful” based on cultural standards but excited about life, grateful to be alive, and inspired to be of service to the world. Who do you think is more likely to radiate beauty? It’s not always easy to see the beauty within ourselves; it’s often easier to see the beauty in others first. Cultivating this level of self-love and appreciation is a lifelong process! Read on for some ideas to help you recognize the beauty around you, in others, and in yourself as well as practical ways to integrate this mindfulness into your daily life.
RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTY AROUND YOU
“We don’t see the world as it is; we see the world as we are.” – Anaïs Nin
Observe nature. Walk outside and connect with nature. If you live in an urban area, consider taking a walk through a local park. Slow down and breathe in the greenery. Open all your senses. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? Notice all the little actions going on around you.
Focus on animals. Take time to observe animals – whether pets or in the wild. What are they doing? How do they connect with one another? How do they project beauty to the world around them?
Take notice of urban beauty. Beauty isn’t only found in nature! Next time you’re walking around a city, notice the way light hits different objects. Does the sidewalk sparkle? Do the windows of the tall buildings shine? Take time to appreciate the architecture and human ingenuity that went into creating a space for people to exist.
Smell the roses. Plants are everywhere – parks, backyards, hanging indoors, or sitting on desks at work. If you feel disconnected from beauty, stop to smell the plants. What do the scents remind you of? Close your eyes and imagine you’re in a beautiful location. What makes it beautiful? Open your eyes and see if you can find those elements around your current space.
When all else fails, look up. Notice the pleasantness of a clear sky. Think about the atmosphere. Does the sun shine only when the sky is clear? Notice the weather and variety of clouds. What shapes are the clouds forming?
RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTY IN OTHERS
“I still believe that everyone is beautiful in some way, and by seeing the beauty in others we make ourselves more beautiful.” – Carole King
Meet others with nonjudgment. One of the greatest ways to practice nonjudgment is through deep empathetic listening, which simply means putting yourself in the shoes of the speaker. Relaxing your mind and body with regular self-care is another great way to stay centered so you can be fully present and unbiased with others.
Appreciate cultural values. We are each deeply and uniquely shaped by our cultures – whether through our behaviors, identities, values, perceptions, or otherwise. Taking the time to learn about different cultures by reading or researching is a great place to start. Better yet, have a face-to-face conversation with a person from a culture you are curious about.
Choose to see the best in others. Sometimes it can be hard to see the best in others, especially when your personalities clash. However, choosing to see the good in others will help you feel good about yourself, letting both your beauty and theirs shine through.
Observe people you’ve always found beautiful. What is it about them that you find beautiful? What aspects of their personality do you find attractive? Do you witness this same beauty in others or yourself? Give people the benefit of the doubt. Consider other people’s perspectives. Rather than getting angry when someone cuts you off in traffic, consider why they may have acted that way. Take a deep breath and remember the bigger picture.
RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTY IN YOURSELF
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” – Kahlil Gibran
Remember the role of beauty detox. Get clear on what beauty means to you. What are some words that embody your personal approach to beauty (e.g. strong, kind, humble)?
If you’re struggling to think of words, try imagery. Create a collage or vision board that represents how you want to present yourself to the world. Then begin to take aligned action toward making your vision a reality.
Incorporate empowering affirmations. Affirmations, or positive phrases that you say to yourself, are a great way to challenge your negative self talk. Pick one or two affirmations to repeat to yourself when you hear your inner critic talking. You might have to try several affirmations before you find one that feels true to you. Here are some examples:
“I am blessed with my natural beauty.”
“My positivity shines through my smile.”
“I am comfortable in my own skin.”
“I am happy with the choices I have made.”
“I am beautiful both inside and out.”
Practice mirror work. Once you pick affirmations, practice saying them to yourself in front of a mirror. Using a mirror will help you spot hesitations, which will tell you areas where you need to work. The more often you do mirror work, the more aware of your words you will become.
Translate your inner critic outward. Think about how you talk to yourself daily; then think about a good friend or family member. Would you speak to them the same way? How would you feel if they told you that someone else said those words to them? Keep this in mind every time your inner critic emerges. By acknowledging the beauty around you, you actually strengthen the muscle that helps you recognize it in yourself. Remember, you have the power to choose how you view both inner and outer beauty!
To a better inner beauty!
Elle,
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach