Self Confidence and Appearance (Part 1)
Feelings of self-confidence based on your appearance are purely in your mind.
Weight is a common problem when it comes to self-confidence. Most people like to blame the pervasive media images of stick-thin women and buff men, but it’s also possible for something more personal to cause feelings of doubt when it comes to your weight. Maybe your grandma always called you “chubby” or your high school sweetheart left you for a linebacker.
Along with weight, many are concerned that they will never be listed among the world’s “most beautiful people.” For the most part, you just have to accept the hand that genetics has dealt you, but remember that even the stars have to be airbrushed to look as good as they do in magazine photo spreads.
Your appearance also relies on a few factors outside of genetics. What you wear, from your shoes to your glasses, and how you style your hair are often the first things that others will notice about your appearance.
The first thing that you must do to improve confidence in your appearance is let go of self-doubt. Stop your negative thoughts about being too fat or not handsome enough. Then, if you’re receiving negative feedback from others, make sure you stop listening to it. The only way to gain self-confidence is to feel confident about yourself as you are.
Reality television shows that give people makeovers perpetuate the myth that someone can be “fixed” with enough plastic surgery to make them beautiful. It may be tempting to turn to plastic surgery to correct perceived flaws in your appearance. However, that will only change the surface; it won’t change the way you fundamentally feel about yourself. Instead of being someone with low self-esteem, you’ll be someone with low self-esteem and high cheekbones.