You are more beautiful than you think!
Dove has been on an amazing campaign over the last few years that has been inspiring women everywhere, trying to promote good self-esteem and restore a view of feel-good-beauty—all without Photoshop, or photo-editing.
Earlier today while browsing Facebook before class, I came across a video from one of my friend’s feeds. Seeing that it was a Dove campaign link, and having seen their previous campaign videos on positive body image, I clicked and was not disappointed
The video starts a little slow, but the message is good. You meet a few women who are asked to describe their own features to a forensic sketch artist. The artist is unable to see them, completes a picture from what they describe, and later sketches a second picture of the same person—instead described by someone the art model met earlier.
What they find is that they are their own worst critics, and some see they have a bit of work to do. They are beautiful and they just have to have the courage to embrace it.
As a hobby artist, this hit home a bit. Many artists have issues with analyzing their own art and techniques, refusing to view their work as beautiful. Many of my artist friends constantly berate themselves and just dig this hole of defeat and discouragement.
“I created something ugly.”
Artists’ view of their works can also reflect on their personal self-esteem and the negativity placed in their lives, at least from what I have noticed. However, what bothers me most is this isn’t just an artist problem.
In the description of the video, I found that Dove reports only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful.
Only 4% around the entire world—and yet people are okay with that number?
Positive/negative body image can change how everything in someone’s life is viewed, and can potentially affect your happiness and future goals. Depression, self-harm, low confidence—it’s all damaging and can cause a myriad of other problems.
How great if you could start your day, look in the mirror, and be able to say, “I am beautiful, and today will be a good day,” or look to someone else, hear a compliment, and just be able to confidently reply, “Thank you!”
I’m not sure if it would apply to everyone, but my coffee would taste a little bit sweeter to me, and the sun would shine just a bit brighter.
If you guys want a few more links, Dove also encourages conversation at: #wearebeautiful
