Beauty Encompasses Everything! - LOH Contest #301

Whenever the topic of beauty is being put forward in social media spaces and within physical interactions, a keen observation often reveals how people think about it in a linear way. Most times, they try to keep their opinions modest and simple.

For example, you ask a group of adults what beauty truly means, and a large number of them would begin and end with descriptions that connect to having a kind and cheerful spirit. Many go as far as saying it’s not about looks but the inward state of one’s heart that makes them beautiful. While this is right, as it is important for us to always consider the goodwill and gentleness of a person’s heart, I believe it misses something: completeness.

You might ask why?

Well, beauty encompasses everything that makes us both humane and attractive. It’s in the way we show love and care to others. It’s also demonstrated in the efforts we put into taking care of ourselves to look good and healthy.

I take this cue and live exactly in line with it. I do not only try to look my best when I step out of the house, as that would mean that my efforts are totally based on public perceptions, which often leads to caring too much about the validation of others. What I do is ensure that in any place or room I find myself, I’m always looking presentable, and this creates a perfect balance for me.

Whether it’s in my room, at the office, or far away from home, I make sure my appearance creates a positive impression both for myself and others who may come across me, and putting in the effort has only made me realize that look good, feel good truly is a thing.

Paying attention to my looks has also been helpful in coping in such a terrifying world where every single day, the chances of me waking up to bad news are ridiculously high. On those bad days, playing dress-up and putting a beautiful outfit together for work the next day is what makes me feel my best because not only do I get nice compliments from my friends and colleagues, I also feel great!

I remember I used to deal with bumpy, textured skin that was never free of acne as a teenager, but now as an adult, being consistent with my skincare routine has been a game changer.

Every morning and night, I ensure I wash my face with a gentle cleanser, apply a hydrating gel, a gentle moisturizer and finally, a sunscreen during the day to protect me from the sun. My acne scars may not have cleared up, but the benefit of my routine has been a visibly healthier skin. I also exfoliate my body once a month, and the feeling I get from all these makes me feel my best every time. I bet it’s a great tip for many women who are on a budget and looking to restore their damaged skin barrier.

Another personal care tip that improves my health and mood is tied to the effort I put into preparing most of my meals at home instead of eating out all the time. I try to incorporate more veggies and proteins in my meals, while making sugar and salt sit at the bottom of my list. Plus, I feel awesome each time I’m trying out a new recipe online.

Doing this has helped me add healthy weight, reduce bloating and also keep my blood pressure at a normal range.

So far, it’s been a wonderful experience trying to focus both on the beauty of my heart and my outward appearance, not just for myself but for those I care about and the opportunities that looking good may unlock. For me, the ROI is and will always be worth it.

^{All images used in this post are mine.}

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