What to do when you don’t FEEL beautiful

Today is one of those days. My outfit doesn’t seem to fit quite right. I’ve got some rogue strands of hair that WILL. NOT. STRAIGHTEN. I notice a little patch of acne. My eyes look puffier than normal. Sometimes I just don’t FEEL beautiful. No reason in particular, but I just don’t feel it. Social Media is full of beautiful pictures and filters to help use achieve perfection. All I see are ads. Ads for weight loss pills and patches and apps because if I just lose more weight, I’ll feel beautiful. Right? Ads for beauty products and services because if I have the latest thing, I’ll feel beautiful. We are bombarded daily with this beautiful ideal…something unattainable that we strive toward.

Do you ever feel that way? Am I the only one? I doubt it.

So what do I do when I don’t FEEL beautiful? As a 40+ year old woman, I do two things.

First, I have to remember that FEELINGS aren’t trustworthy. Have you ever seen something and assumed the worst? Or overheard part of a conversation and assumed the details? Our feelings are emotions…responses to a stimuli. And different people have different responses to the same situation.

Second, ground myself in truth. Truth is truth is truth. I may not feel beautiful but the truth is that if I’m created in God’s image and His creation is GOOD (Genesis 1:27-31), then I am good. So maybe I need to rethink my definition of beautiful.

As a mom of a toddler and a teen, a teacher, a student pastor’s wife, a Mary Kay Team Leader and about a million and one other titles. Life is busy and often I just forget to take care of myself. Sometimes that’s taking the time to read a book or take 30 minutes for a hydra session. But in my busy world, it could be as simple as reading scripture to ground me and remind me that my heavenly Father created me and He thinks I’m beautifully and wonderfully made.

I like to post things with sticky notes…TO DO lists, affirmations, goals, prayers, praises, anything that will fit. And I post these brightly colored notes in obvious places so I don’t forget. With that in mind, I created this little freebie for all my friends out there who need a little encouragement to remember you are beautiful and you are loved.

Click below and print! You can cut the cards a part and tuck them away or tape them to your mirror. Print an extra copy and send them to a friend who may also need a little encouraging.

Knowing who I am and WHOSE I am makes all the difference. What reminds you that you are beautiful? Comment below and share your story!