According to a gender difference study by the University of Texas in Austin, women are more prone to low self-esteem compared to men. Similar studies also show that girls believe they are generally not good enough, especially when it comes to their appearance.
Cultural expectations, external pressures, and social media are just some that contribute to someone being hypercritical of themselves. Learning to love and take care of oneself can be a long and hard road. But every journey begins with its first few steps.
A local beauty brand encourages women to love what they see in the mirror with the help of these three simple steps.
Keep it real
“Everything starts and ends with you, and you alone.” With this in mind, try to see yourself from a third-person point of view—in a mirror for example. Doing so can build up your self-awareness, according to psychology experts. By embracing your identity and being in peace with your flaws, you are enabling self-love.
No means no
A good manifestation of self-love is learning to say “no,” if you don’t feel like doing something. According to psychotherapist Alena Gerst, saying “no” when you genuinely mean it will promote good overall emotional health. “This isn’t being rude, it’s understanding your boundaries and limitations, and, yes, this applies to your friends and family.”
Invest in self-care
One implication of low self-esteem is self-negligence. Spending time and money on improving oneself should be prioritized. Depending on what kind of person you are, there are a number of ways you can do this and that includes taking a social break, traveling, adopting a pet, or even physical exercise to get endorphins pumping.
Another way of doing this is by taking care of your skin. “When someone is depressed or anxious, a [skin care] routine provides a sense that they have control over their skin, body, and consequently part of their life,” says dermatologist Dr. Amy Wecher in an interview with Marie Claire magazine.
Proper skin care does not have to break the bank. For example, Flawlessly U offers quality papaya- and calamansi-infused facial soap, lotion, and facial cleanser at affordable prices.
