A friend asked me an interesting question recently. She asked: “When was the last time you felt really pretty, what were you doing at the time, and why do you suppose you felt prettier than usual on that day?” I thought about it and recalled a day I spent at the beach with my family this summer. I don’t know that I burst into song like Maria (though I wouldn’t put it past myself) but it was definitely that kind of a day.
Why did I feel pretty on that day? I think it was a combination of swimming in the water (something I love), soaking up the sun, spending time with my husband, and…having a super cute new bathing suit (you didn’t really think fashion wasn’t going to come into play, did you?).
I liked her question because it reminded me that there are things I can do to lift my spirits when I’m feeling down. We all have moments when our minds mess with us and our perceptions of ourselves are unrealistically negative. Every day can’t be a beach day (sigh) but there’s no reason that I can’t make it a point to get a little extra sun, take some time to exercise, and/or slip into one of my favorite outfits. It’s not always easy when I’m already feeling blue, but if I can discipline myself into action I’ve found that the unhappiness subsides much more quickly. And that, my friends, is a blessing for everyone, believe you me.
What about you? When was the last time you felt particularly pretty, what were you doing, and why do you think you felt so lovely on that day?
Take care, you lovely ladies, you!
I would have to say the last time I felt pretty was August 22, 2011. That was the day Shelby surfed at Surfers Healing camp. I had my whole family together, I was watching my daughter do something amazing and I was happier than I had been in a very long time. I think it was the awesome feeling of love and gratitude not only that I felt but that was projected toward me is what did it.
I know what a life-changing that experience that was–not just for Shelby but for your entire family. It makes me so happy to think of it. I can see how you would feel beautiful on that day. Joy has a way of doing that to a gal, doesn’t it?
Last weekend, my mom and aunt gave me a lovely baby shower. The family and friends who attended kept telling me how beautiful I was pregnant (I flew in from out of state, so for most of them it was the first time they saw me while pregnant). It wasn’t so much what they were saying though, it was the love that radiated from them, the love for the little one inside of me. I felt pretty because of the beauty of a little growing life inside of me!
I felt pretty because of the beauty of a little growing life inside of me!
I’m grinning ear-to-ear, Mandi.
This past Friday! My 2 children are in a Mother’s Day Out program that sponsors a once-a-month date night for 4 hours for FREE (ahhh… LOVE it. They even feed them and provide drinks and snacks!). I shaved my legs, painted my toe nails, dried my hair (that’s a first in quite a while!) AND styled it, “did up” my eyes, and wore my new (stain-free, hole-free) maternity shirt. I’m 20 weeks with the 3rd, and this is one of 2 kid-proofed/cooking-proofed shirts I have now. Ooh, and I wore my sexy new black wedges. And perfume. I LOVED the look my husband gave me when he first saw me. It was the same look he gave me when he saw me for the first time when he picked me up for a blind date 6 1/2 years ago!
Oh, that sounds like such a special night, Lisa! I know the variety of look you speak of and few things make me feel more beautiful, either.
I’m sad to say it was so long ago, but I think the last time was March 31, 2011, when I gave birth completely naturally to our daughter. Giving birth is always a joy but I think doing it naturally with my husband encouraging me and praying aloud to me just gave me such a sense of personal accomplishment in what my body and I are capable of doing.
Totally. Yes! I love the sweet high of childbirth!
just putting on a little makeup and wearing a dress or skirt (instead of staying in my pj’s!) make all the difference whether I’m running errands, kissing my husband when he gets home, or getting the mail. There’s a little more confidence in my step and I feel more free to be the woman God made me to be.
I like how you put that, Sarah: “…free to be the woman God made me to be.” That’s really true, isn’t it? The better we feel about ourselves, the better able we are to joyfully carry out the unique assignments God has given each one of us.
I forgot what makes me feel pretty all time- my husband telling me I’m beautiful- even when I haven’t gotten out of my pj’s or put on any makeup!
Oooh! Me, too! That does it every. single. time. Gotta love those sweet husbands of ours. :)
Ah, how important is this topic? Really. I think we as women need to seek out these moments…often. Not in a narcissistic kind of way…but in a self-confident way…like you mentioned. I suppose for me, like one of your readers mentioned above…it’s merely putting on a little make-up. Taking a shower (for goodness sakes) first thing in the morning. It’s putting on something that doesn’t start with a ‘s’ and end in a ‘-weats’. It’s getting dressed up for Mass. It’s walking hand in hand with my toddler outside. It’s just the small things…that help you feel human…and lovely.
Speaking of which…maybe I should stop this long comment and go shower!? :) Thanks for writing about this today!
And thank you for your awesome comment, Cynthia! I’m always amazed by how quickly I forget what a huge difference the little things make.
Every time I make an effort with my hair, put on make up, wear a dress/skirt, I feel pretty. Sadly, I don’t make that effort very often. It just seems that life with four kids is so exhausting and so demanding that I am the last person that I actually think about. I know it would change my outlook, it’s just hard getting to “go” on that point. I sure do like the look in my husband’s eyes when I make an effort. Even my kids will say “you look beautiful Mommy” and that makes me feel like a million bucks. I just have to do it. Right?
It is hard, Kimberlie. One thing I’ve found is that if I set aside an hour or so once a week (often after the kids go to sleep) to treat myself to a few beauty extras (kind of an at-home spa experience) it makes taking the time to tend to the basics throughout the week easier somehow. I don’t know why that is or if that would help you at all, but it makes all the difference for me!
Great question: For me it was a family day out. We spent the evening on a horse-drawn wagon that led us into an old canyon. My daughters and husband loved it and their joy made me feel pretty. Being happy really does help. The most interesting part of this, for me, what how I felt later. Since it was a family vacation, we took a lot of pictures. Looking at the pictures I don’t think I looked that great – but because feeling great made me feel pretty, I love those pictures. I’m a ball of emotions I guess!
Kudos to you – feeling great on the beach! Wow, that is a great thing for any women!
Wow! That sounds like an amazing day! How cool!
Last time for me? Yesterday, going to mass in a black &wh ite print wrap dress (Tahari via Goodwill) with a dark purple jacket from Kohl’s, amethyst necklace, and black patent with b&W herringbone fabric slingback pumps. Sunday is often my only chance each week to wear a dress, so I make the most of it.
Cute! I know your shoes were adorable. They always are! :)
I have on occasion sang that song from West Side Story, lol! :)
The last time I felt pretty was when my husband told me how beautiful he finds my stretch marks and saggy nursing boobs. Sorry if that’s too much to share with strangers! I studied ballet for years and dabbled in pageants, so there will always be a part of me that is very figure focused, and while I know it shouldn’t matter it does to me. I had to resign myself to the fact that I have a new body now that I’ve had a child (just one so far, but we want to have more!) and was really feeling quite sad about it for a while. But one day, out of the blue, my husband made those wonderful comments and it just turned my image of myself upside right. And I know he was being sincere, which was the best part.
Oh, and I agree with Daria. I love being able to wear a nice outfit on Sundays. During the week I find myself in sweats or PJs most of the time (unless we have to leave the house). This seems like maybe a topic Betty Beguiles might have addressed at one point? What does the stay at home mom wear that will allow her to get her chores done, yet not feel like a chimney sweep?!
I am 9 months pregnant, so it’s been awhile since I’ve felt like anything other than a walrus — and a sleep-deprived walrus at that! But the last time I felt close to pretty was at about 25 weeks pregnant when my OB said I was gaining too much weight and she was “concerned.” My usually-quiet husband (who was in the doctor’s office with me) practically jumped out of his chair & said very affirmatively that I had NOT gained too much weight (wish I had a picture of my doctor’s face at that moment — it was priceless!) Then in the car on the way home he said he was beautiful — and he is not one to pay compliments very often so it meant a lot. Now every time I go in for a checkup my OB says my weight looks “just fabulous! Fabulous!!”… which we all know is not true, but it reminds me of my husband’s sweet comment. :)
LOL! I mean that my husband said *I* was beautiful… not that *he* was beautiful, haha! Although he is quite handsome, just for the record. ;)
I love this $7 lip gloss from VS called “slice of heaven”. It never fails. I always feel pretty when I wear it. It makes a huge different in my appearance. I just put on the shades & the lip gloss and I don’t look like a tired, frazzled mother. =)