For a long time, I struggled to find my definition of beauty. For most people, beauty is defined by looks. A lot of people think that they’re ugly because they aren’t skinny, popular, or even naturally pretty. Body image has a huge effect on how we perceive our outer beauty, too.

For me, though, beauty starts from within. You must love yourself and find your inner beauty before you can begin to see your outer beauty. Finding your inner beauty can be very challenging and will take time. In order to find your inner beauty, you will be forced to dig deep within yourself and be patient. You will feel uncomfortable and vulnerable at times, and that’s OK. 

Here are three ways to find your inner beauty:

Make A List:

Take out a piece of paper and a pen (or even just your phone) and make a list of things you love about yourself. Keep your list with you just in case something pops into your head at a random time. Start with the small details that immediately pop into your head and jot those down, then work towards the bigger ones. Remember to listen to what people around you say, too. You’d be surprised how many compliments you receive on a daily basis! If you happen to catch something positive that someone says about you, be sure to write it down!

Ask Your Friends:

Challenge your friends to share what they see in you. Ask them face-to-face, via text, or even in a letter. Ask them questions like,  “Why do you think we’re friends?” or “How is our bond so strong?” You’ll be surprised by all of the positivity that you’ll feel in these conversations. “Crowdsourcing” your positivity will remind you who your true friends are and just how much they love and support you day in and day out. 

Power Pose:

Strike a power pose in front of a mirror! To “power pose,” place your hands on your hips, stand up straight, and make sure that you smile. Stay in position for about a minute and just look at yourself in the mirror. I know that fully seeing yourself can be uncomfortable at times, but you’ll get more confident with time and practice. “Power posing” may seem silly, but it will help you feel more confident. Yes, when you “power pose,” you may notice certain features that you don’t like, but that’s OK! Make sure to take note of those feelings, and keep “power posing” to improve them over time. 

These are just a few ideas to get you started on finding your inner beauty. It’s important to remember that you can’t truly feel beautiful on the outside before you find your inner beauty because inner beauty goes hand-in-hand with self-love. I hope that you can use these suggestions to discover your inner beauty and learn to love yourself.