Webster’s Dictionary defines beautiful as “having great qualities of beauty, or even generally pleasing.” It defines beauty as having the qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit; or a brilliant, extreme, or egregious instance. What it does not define is what those qualities, pleasantries, or brilliant instances are specifically, in fact, it uses the term generally for a reason.
Beauty is relative.
It is individual. And what pleases, exalts the spirit, or brilliantly excites is an extremely personal experience that cannot be dictated by one person or another. What excites your soul does not, and should not, excite mine or anyone else’s.
So why is the concept of beauty so heavily, and specifically, defined in the Western world today? The reasons are numerous, and also extremely psychologically involved. But the end of the story is, it is whatever feels beautiful to you. And what you put out there, you get back, so even if you’re beauty is crazy and chaotic (and that also is fun and exciting too) you will attract those who love your crazy and your chaotic, not in spite of, but because of.
Define your beautiful. What are some things that you wish you could improve? Not what others think about you. Don’t try to change the parts of you that make you unique and things that are defining about you as a person. But things you can change, that would make you feel better, run faster, smile brighter, laugh harder, and be braver. Identify those little tidbits and know that you have much more control over your happiness, well-being, and your world than you realize.
Get your beauty sleep. Sleep is when your mind rests to allow your body to repair with ease and efficiency and without distraction. The most restful sleep you find the more energy and happiness you’ll conjure for the busy day to come. Restful sleep involves a relaxing evening routine, an electronic free area, a quiet, cool, dark place to sleep, a bedroom that is clutter free and distraction free, and the right mattress. Mattresses come in all shapes and sizes and with a little time and effort, you can find the right one for you. Checkout reviews like this review for the Amerisleep Liberty Mattress. Also remember that deciding on the right size mattress to buy is the first step in the process. This mattress size guide by Mattress Nerd will help you understand mattress sizing, along with recommendations to find your best fit.
Find your beautiful moves. The amazing sleep you got will give you all the energy you need to move the way you want to move, whatever makes you feel lovely, however, your body was designed to move. The object is to feel good, energized, and find a little of the endorphin high that makes you happy and light.
Keep your beautiful peace. The chaos that is life will certainly wear you down and make you insane. You always want to stay vigilant but you never want to be overly heightened all of the time. Find some time to just enjoy the quiet. Quiet your mind and your heart and just be where you are for a little while. Drink a cup of tea, take a bath, read a book, paint, and just be. Whatever quiets your mind and makes you feel at peace… Do that.
Do a beautiful thing. There is negativity all around. This is a scary, uncertain world we live in. It can certainly be easy to feel overwhelmed with how to fix it. As a result, you run the risk of simply shutting down. But the goal is to feel like you’ve contributed to the good in some form or fashion, that will give back to your soul many times over. Find a charity you can donate your time to, plant a tree, go pet kittens at the shelter or hold preemie babies at the hospital. The possibilities are endless and just one positive action will contagiously catch on, you never know who you will inspire.
Think beautiful thoughts. Negativity ruminates and is toxic. How you think changes your brain chemistry and spreads throughout your entire being. It becomes you. Make sure all of you is consumed with happiness, positivity, and love.
Use your beautiful smile. “When you’re smiling the whole world smiles with you…” The song, originally recorded by Louis Armstrong, has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Glee. And the reason is that it’s true. Emotions are contagious, smiling creates happiness and hope, something we should all want to spread. The more you sing, dance, smile, and laugh the more others will follow, because we lead (and live) by example. This will create an effervescent feeling that you’ll never be able to let go of.
Follow your beautiful path. Whether that be a career or hobby, do what you can to ignite your passion and be your best every day. Something that makes you crazy with excitement and inspires you with opportunity.
Be beautiful for you. And if you can’t find your beauty right away, that is okay. We’re all on our own journey. There is no timeline and there are no actual expectations. When was the last time you saw a manuscript for how to live? No rule book, just exactly how you think you should be.
Do not let the rules of today’s society define you; do whatever feels right. Just do you.
Featured image via Brittani Burns on Unsplash
