Embrace Your Inner Beauty

            You’re lying to yourself and everyone else if you say you’ve never looked at a picture on a billboard or in a magazine and felt jealous or perhaps even anger that you couldn’t look like that.

            It’s honestly a lot easier than you think. There are tons of free apps that allow you to completely change your looks. I can’t even imagine what the ones you have to pay for can do to you – it’s a scary thought.

You’re also lying if you say you’ve never gone through the phase of despising your body. Whether you told yourself you were too fat, too short, too skinny, your hair was too curly, your nose too big, and so on and so forth; everyone at one time has picked his or her body apart. There are always going to be some things you might not like about yourself. But there is nothing you can do other than accept it and move on. Embrace those flaws and imperfections because they are what make you who you are.

            So many women, and even men, today go to drastic measures to fit society’s standard of what “beautiful” is. It’s sickening as well as sad. No longer do people feel comfortable in their own skin because they try so hard to be everyone else’s definition of perfect that they lose themselves in the process.

            When I posted the photo above to both facebook and Instagram I got much more feedback than I expected. I didn’t do it for the attention or to get compliments or for someone to tell me I’m naturally pretty. Instead I did it to show people that I accept myself - imperfections, flaws and all.

            I had many people contact me to say that the original, unedited picture was so much prettier and much more realistic. I also started a bit of a trend on social media with girls posting unedited pictures of themselves and it felt empowering.

            One of my friends messaged me and said she wanted to start a women’s beauty campaign. There is nothing more I would love to do, and maybe one day we will be able to.

            She also added this:

            “Your imperfections are what make you the only you in the world. They are what is going to make somebody love you someday. They are what should make a woman confident and proud of herself.”

            Thankfully, some companies today such as Aerie and Dove are promoting ad campaigns that focus on natural beauty with unedited images. These companies are out to prove that women don’t need to be photo shopped and every girl is beautiful in her own way.

            Botox, plastic surgery, and tons of makeup and other beauty products can change your outward appearance. But who wants to go through the time, money, and sometimes even pain to be someone their not?

Be you. There is only one so make it the best one.

WANTED

I think every girl in her life has her vision of what that “perfect man” is like.

Not going to lie, I’ve dated quite a few guys. Those relationships didn’t work out for various reasons, but also because he didn’t measure up to what my view of this perfect guy is.

            I don’t want a guy to change to meet my standards though. If he’s not himself then he’s going to be too wishy-washy and a pushover in a relationship.

            So I decided to comprise a list of what I’m looking for. If you know a man like this send him my way!

           

            I want a country boy.

Why? For multiple reasons. First, because he’s not going to spend hours like a preppy frat boy getting ready to go out. A man who spends longer than me getting ready I have no interest in. Maybe I’m being stereotypical saying a country boy, but they are some of the hardest workers. My dream guy isn’t lazy. Sure, every now and then everyone needs a lazy day, but I want someone who busts his ass and doesn’t quit until the job is done. Country boys also have small town morals. They’ll drop whatever they’re doing to help their friends or even complete strangers. And obviously I want a guy who respects my love of horses and acknowledges that he may play second to them sometimes.

But moving on:

I need to be able to have deep conversations with him and be able to talk about things like feelings. But then turn around a few minutes later joking and teasing each other. On that note, a guy who makes me laugh is a must.

This man must realize that even after he “has me” and I’m his girl, he should never stop trying to show me how much I mean to him.

Here’s a secret: there is nothing I love more than surprises. It doesn’t have to be anything over the top. Even just leaving a note for me to have a great day goes a long way.

I’m a simple girl. I don’t need to “go out” all the time. I’m a cheap date I swear. Take me mudding, fishing, four wheeling or snowmobiling, or to a field so we can star watch, all I want is just to spend quality time with him.  

Also make plans every once in awhile instead of leaving it up to me.

The little things, like waking up to cute text messages every so often, cuddling, forehead kisses, taking pictures with me, and playing with my hair all go a long way.

Be goofy. Sing with me. He doesn’t have to be George Strait, but when we’re driving around I need someone to be Johnny to my June.

Some major things:

He must realize it’s not all about him. He can’t be egotistical, arrogant, and think the earth revolves around him because it sure as shit doesn’t.

            He has to treat his momma right. I was always told that the way a man treats his mom is how he’ll treat his future wife. If his mom doesn’t mean something to him I can tell you real quick how the relationship will go….

I’m looking for a gentleman. I like to believe that chivalry still isn’t dead. A guy who walks on the outside of the street and opens the door is a keeper. I also am not going to play second to his cell phone. If we’re together and he spends more time on his phone than he does talking to me, I see where we stand and how important I must be in his life.

He must respect me. I’ve let myself be disrespected and treated bad enough times to realize I’m better than that and deserve more.

He has to be honest and faithful. I think this goes without saying but some guys still struggle with this concept.

            Listen to me. I don’t like to share my feelings, but I guarantee if I’m being deep and need a heart to heart it’s something important.

            He needs to encourage me and show me he cares. Be my number one fan in everything I do and make sure I know I always have a cheerleader supporting me.

            This perfect guy needs to accept my family, appetite, uncontrollable laughter, random outbursts, friends, dreams, and me.

           

            I want a best friend, not just a companion. He doesn’t need to be perfect, just perfect for me.

            He’ll need to accept my past, realize I’m flawed, acknowledge I’ve made mistakes, and recognize I have weaknesses.

            I’m waiting for the man who would do anything just to be my everything.

            Maybe my standards are too high? And maybe I have too much criteria. But I have high standards because a man who truly wants to be in my life will rise up and meet those standards.