Unrealistic Expectations

We all have expectations for ourselves. Those expectations depend on our past experiences, our exposure to media, our cultural and family influences, and how we view the world and our place in it.

Most beauty expectations are unrealistic. There, I've said it.

Skin care is important. Wearing makeup is a choice. And general, healthy body care helps us stay healthy, make sure people are not turned off by our odor, and ward off vampires. OK, maybe not the vampire thing, but you get what I'm saying, right? Body care helps us stay clean and smelling good. We wear clothing and jewelry to express ourselves. All of that is great.

The problem comes from having expectations we simply cannot achieve. Many of us have seen the evidence: the Dove evolution commercial, the before and afters of celebrities, and the obviously Photoshopped bodies of models. Yet, our expectations for our self, for our own body is so unachievable, it's sad. While I could probably do a whole Ted talk on the idea of unrealistic beauty expectations and body self acceptance, I will give this one singular piece of advice for now.

Learn to love the skin you are in. Decorate it. Adorn it. Nourish it. But love the you that you are.