Dug Up from the Drafts: Accepting Who We Are...and Aren't

Hello, dear readers,

I don't know about you, but I hate having drafts floating around my "Posts" box. Until just now, I had five of them polluting my Blogger profile, so I knew I had to take action.

Three of these blogs were promptly deleted, as they were incomplete and irrelevant or merely contained a title and no content. This is the first of the two that survived. Apparently, in one of my first few posts, I promised you that I'd be writing a self-esteem series. I now believe the reason for that was because the creation of this blog coincided with the beginning of a very difficult time in my life. I was doing this for myself more than anything, to reinforce what I knew was true but didn't fully believe. Not that there's anything wrong with self-esteem posts! I just don't actually plan to do a series on the subject unless I feel particularly inspired. In any case, here is the first in my previously planned self-esteem series posts. This is very brief and unfinished, but I think the last sentence is conclusive enough for what it's worth. I changed the font just now to make the separation between past and present painfully obvious. Enjoy this snippet from January 23, 2011:



For those of you who read my very first posts, you may remember that I promised a self-esteem series. Well, I'm finally getting to it! I hope you enjoy.




Let's all take a deep breath and admit it: We've all been guilty of looking at celebrities in magazines, the girl a few seats away on the train, or even our best friend and wondering, Why can't I look like that? Why am I not as skinny, fashionable, pretty? Why does everything always seem to work out for her and not me?


I'm bringing this up because I think it's important to recognize that part of building a healthy self-esteem and self-image is realizing who we aren't in order to focus on who we are.


Who we aren't? you ask. Why would we need to dwell on that? Well, we don't, and that's exactly the point. Let me explain: Focusing on someone else and wishing you could be like them actually prevents you from improving yourself. Becoming the best "you" possible is what you should be striving for.


It's absolutely fine to be inspired by other people, but it's important to recognize that we can each only be one person and no one else.



That's all I wrote. It's short, simple, and to the point, I suppose. Granted, I planned to finish this at some point but was apparently never motivated enough to do so.

I hope you liked this little blast from the past. I'll be posting the second of my drafts sometime this week. I did actually update and complete that one a few days ago. This one remains unchanged.

Wishing you a great week,

xEsther

Now That You've Pointed That Out...

No one cares!

For those of you who are wondering why I'm so incredibly heartless, please give me a moment to explain. I'm talking specifically about our "flaws" here. Why is flaws in quotes? you wonder as you consider closing this page altogether and reading about the Kardashian sisters instead.

Well, that's an easy answer: Things we consider to be flaws are often considered lovely by other people. I used to be extremely self-conscious of a birthmark above my eyebrow, so I didn't grow out my blunt bangs for years [yes, I had blunt bangs. My hair was stick straight then]. When I finally did, I still parted my hair so it was covered up.

I only ever had one comment on that birthmark, and I'm 99 percent sure it was only because I pointed it out. I mentioned something about not wanting to grow out my bangs because I didn't want my birthmark to show. And you know what? I really doubt my friend cared, seeing as if she did, I'd probably remember how she responded.

So, you see? No one actually cares about all your millions of self-perceived imperfections.

Then there's the other kind of imperfection: you put on a few pounds from eating an unhealthy diet or lacking in your exercise routine; you have a blemish that you're positive has a sign on it saying, "Look at me!"; you have some cellulite on your thighs from general growing up and naturally changing sizes.

I'm pretty sure this model doesn't even have a blemish!

Guess what? No one notices. Only the people that absolutely have serious self-esteem issues will notice all the negatives you might possess. Or perhaps a family member will carelessly ask, "Did you put on some weight?" Those are the people hardwired to notice because they're either tactless [as in the case of many family members; don't tell me you don't have any of the like] or feel validated by finding fault in others.

Honestly, we're all so concerned with how we look, act, and present ourselves, that we should know everyone else is doing the same. They're measuring their own flaws and not worrying about yours. If only we can stop worrying about what other people think, we'll be so much happier. However, for most people we'll never completely stop wondering what others think.

For now, the next time you feel an overwhelming desire to complain about the "enormous" zit on your forehead, resist the urge to point it out.

Because, truly, no one else sees it.

To a healthier point of view on you, by you, and for you [no one else!]!

xEsther

P.S. I apologize for posting less often. I blame work. And no sleep, which is another post topic altogether.

Images from:
http://www.123rf.com/photo_3112514_suprised-girl-pointing-at-copy-space--portrait-of-a-beautiful-young-business-woman-looking-up.html
http://www.acnescartreatmentsite.com/tag/acne-scarring/

Happy New Year!

Hello dears,

As all of you know, today is the last day of 2010. And I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions. Let me explain: Every year, on December 31st, people nationwide scramble to write out or mentally record resolutions for the new year. Most people want to lose weight, or try something new, or be better people in general. I think these are great resolutions to have, but why make them once a year?

I think we should set life goals that we strive to live up to instead of just a new set of goals each year that just peter out after a few months. I think resolutions are great guidelines, but they often seem imposing, like a giant boulder that we must climb each day for the rest of the year. Why not think about how you can change every single day? Think about what you're putting into your body, how you're treating yourself, how kind you're being to others. That's my goal.

No one wants to be intimidated by her own goals, so why not take it a step at a time? Make a promise to yourself to be a better person, but understand that everyone has flaws. Work as hard as you can to stay in shape, but don't torture yourself about it. Those are things I want to carry with me throughout life, not just in 2011.

So let 2011 be a fresh start, but don't forget that each year is a continuation of the last. There's always room to improve, and hopefully we can enjoy each step of the way together.

As for me, I'm going to try to post here as regularly as possible. This blog is a journey for me, and I hope you'll share it with me. My next few posts will probably be about the best beauty finds of 2010, my favorite skincare staples, and the start of a self-esteem series.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve, a Happy New Year, and a fabulous continuation of what's already a blessed life!

xEsther

Hello Internet!

Welcome Potential Blog Readers! 


I've finally caved in to my desire and decided to start a blog. I've been reading blogs such as Liparazzi, A Model Recommends, Anna Saccone, and Love Audrey for quite some time now, and gradually felt a growing craving to write my own. I originally was drawn into watching YouTube videos, but soon discovered beauty blogging, a world entirely of its own. I was absolutely an avid reader of Lollipop26 Writes, but she recently took a much needed vacation from blogging.


So what, dear readers, will this blog be about?


It will focus mainly on beauty items, skin care, and hair products, as well as tips and, most importantly, self-esteem and wellness. I'm very excited to start this, knowing I have not a single reader as of yet. I love to write, and I think this will be a wonderful outlet for that.


Will I have any followers? Who knows! That's the beauty of it [no pun intended].


Happy New Year [and new blog]!


Esther