You are beautiful

Itwasntme.

I saw this today and I wanted to share it with you guys. The media and the beauty industry make a killing by playing on our insecurities. I thought I would start a thread to remind us all that we may be different but we are all beautiful. I am sure it's been done before but what do you love about yourself? What makes you feel beautiful?

For me, beauty is being confident in my skin. I love the fact that I am curvy. I go through phases where I want to be a stick thin model so I can look good in skinny jeans but I am learning to accept that I am never going to be that girl and I am beautiful as I am. Cheesy but true!!

Lucyfur

BraziliaNZ and Chimpokomon, your posts have been deleted

OP, I have edited your post to highlight your questions

baby and crumble

I actually don't like being thought of, or thinking of myself, as beautiful. That's not to say I don't like myself, how I look, etc. But beautiful is not something I either aspire to or feel comfortable with...

krudler

baby and crumble wrote: »

I actually don't like being thought of, or thinking of myself, as beautiful. That's not to say I don't like myself, how I look, etc. But beautiful is not something I either aspire to or feel comfortable with...

How come?

Nickcaved

Everyone is beautiful in there own way. Even a short hairy man might have nice eyes for example. I think Irish people are beautiful. I like the pale skin and lovely accent but you all seem to want to be tanned so its shows that beauty is relative!

Morgase

baby and crumble wrote: »

I actually don't like being thought of, or thinking of myself, as beautiful. That's not to say I don't like myself, how I look, etc. But beautiful is not something I either aspire to or feel comfortable with...

Same here. I'm happy with how I look, generally speaking, but I wouldn't want to be seen as beautiful by everyone. Of course, it's nice if my boyfriend thinks I'm beautiful, but I don't think that's what the OP is aiming at?

I think one reason why I think like this is that beauty is so transient, maybe even particularly as a woman, and I put so much effort into educating myself I'd rather have that picked up on as a positive attribute rather than my appearance.

SarahBeep!

I have a really straight nose.

I have good eyelashes.

If I lost weight Id have nice bone structure in my face!

Princess Peach

I've also stopped aiming to be beautiful, and just want to happy and content with how I look when I feel my best.

For example nights out! When I was younger, and it was the normal culture in Ireland, I would spend insane amounts of money on fancy dresses and killer shoes for every Saturday night, and then hours doing hair and makeup and nails and eyelashes. And I think I did it because all my friends did and I felt the pressure going out with all these beautiful girls! Definitely not because I enjoyed the process.

Don't really care now! I went out Saturday night in the jeans, graphic tee and runners in had been wearing all day, didn't even top up my makeup. Saturday before I felt a bit fancy so wore a summer skirt and nice headband, but my sister would be the fashion conscious kind who would vomit that from my hair, top and skirt I had 3 different floral prints :pac:

But I felt happy and comfortable and confident in what I wore, so maybe I did come off beautiful helps that my friends here couldn't give a crap about fashion though. I think my old party friends from home would weep if I wore jeans and a tshirt to a club :pac:

Daisy78

SarahBeep! wrote: »

I have a really straight nose.

I have good eyelashes.

If I lost weight Id have nice bone structure in my face!

You have all the bits I want. Very wonky nose and saggy cheeks to go with it. But I do have nice green eyes, nice lips, and good skin. Legs aren't too bad now I've lost some weight. But while physical appearance does matter id rather be liked and appreciated for my other qualities, like my sense of humour or kindness (on a good day) than having a knockout appearance.

I have nice hands, While I'm not happy with my weight, I have a decent shaped body and I know what clothes to wear and what to absolutely avoid. I have nice hair (mind you it's thanks to the hairdresser!)

panda100

Itwasntme. wrote: »

I go through phases where I want to be a stick thin model so I can look good in skinny jeans but I am learning to accept that I am never going to be that girl and I am beautiful as I am!

I would probably be 'stick thin'. I used to like it when I was younger but over the years it kind infiltrates into you that guy's don't like this body shape and being 'curvy' is a lot more deisrable.
Anywho, since last May I have really got into running, after starting the couch to 5km. I run almost every day now, and even started personal training sessions in the gym. I love my body at the moment. It is so toned everywhere. I love being able to feel the muslces in my legs and arms, and I feel so much more stronger and confident. So,if I had to pinpoint one part of my body I love, it is my new found muscles

Ah_Yeah

I have great thick curly hair that most people would kill for.

I have the biggest brown eyes that always get commented on.

I have a great smile.

And I have an infectious, bubbly personality that people seem to love

I went through a lot of self esteem issues in recent years, and it's taken me a long time to realise you can appreciate the great things about yourself and know your worth without being arrogant or cocky.

I know what I am, I know what I'm not, and I've accepted the flaws, and nurtured the good.

Ladies, beauty isn't just how you look, it's everything that makes you who you are - your personality, how you treat people, the way you carry yourself. Remind yourself of that, and love yourself

Bubblefett

I was once told your only as beautiful as how you make others feel. Beauty is more than looking good. To me it's about being a good person, being kind to others and making them feel good about themselves and it's something I always try to keep in mind.

I love the name of this thread btw, when it pops up in my subscribed threads "you are beautiful"

x Purple Pawprints x

Interesting topic.

I find it strange that other people see me as beautiful to be honest. My bf has said it to me lots of times but my confidence is a bit low and I tend to respond in my head with something along the lines of "How does he think that?"

He does make me feel beautiful though I have to admit. Moreso by giving me those little smiles or holding my hand or looking into my eyes..

Beauty means different things to different people and different people find different things beautiful. I have moles/'beauty spots' all over my body, lots on my face and I've always sort of disliked them and tried to disguise them with make-up because I was teased in school over them. But recently I got chatting to a woman in the shop I volunteer in and she said they were gorgeous and I was really surprised to hear her say that.

Beauty isn't just physical to me though. I find certain personality traits beautiful. I'm finding it hard to explain myself here to be honest..

Das Kitty

I think a lot of people equate physical beauty with physical perfection. The older I get, the wider the range of things and people I find beautiful is. In fact I find it very difficult to see physical ugliness in people anymore.

A random selection of things I like about myself:

The dip from my hip to my waist.
The little wrinkles around my eyes.
My short slim legs
The shape of my lips.

FairytaleGirl

I find it hard to take a compliment too, I used to be thinner, and really sporty but now im older and busier I've put on weight and now im soo aware that i don't like myself anymore. When anyone compliments me i automatically think of my arse or legs and blow off the compliment.

My only defining feature is that i have grey eyes, which is kinda rare. Oh and good clear skin.

My teeth are crooked and my nose is weird haha yeah i need to love myself again!

Daisies

My perception of beauty has changed as I have gotten older. Now I know it is more about the person as a whole. A smile can transform someone, it can make the beautiful and draw you to them. People have personalities that make them beautiful and people have personalities that make them ugly no matter how beautiful their body is.

As sad as it is, I find myself doubting myself a lot. I don't think I'm beautiful at times (lets be honest who does) and it bugs me that I need someone else's approval to feel beautiful but I do.

The one thing that people always comment on is my hair. I have thick, curly, auburn hair that strangers comment on a lot. When I was younger I HATED it, I wanted straight hair that I could dye like all the other girls in school. Now I appreciate that is something that is slightly different and I love it (it also helps that it is super low maintenance).

Personality wise, I would do anything for my friends and family. People have commented that I am a good friend, which I think is one of the highest compliments that can be given.

tl;dr
Lots of things make a person beautiful. Unfortunately we are not always best placed to see the beauty in ourselves as we are constantly comparing ourselves to the beauty we see in others.

Neyite

I've known physically stunning women, but because they were mean-spirited or bitchy they became less stunning in my eyes, and I stopped thinking of them as goodlooking. Similarly, I've known women who you wouldnt initially consider conventionally beautiful, but their personalities seem to light them up as beautiful.

I'm a lot more accepting and forgiving of my flaws than I was in my early twenties, and I think a huge amount of my personal unhappiness came from being so hard on myself, comparing myself to others and finding myself lacking rather than focusing on what I loved about myself.

For the first time in my life, I love my breasts. I always was flat chested, self concious, unhappy with them. I even went as far as booking a plastic surgery consultation in the UK. But now, it sounds corny, but because I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and seeing my baby put on weight and be healthy and happy, I'm in awe of the job they do, and I'm proud of them. I may be back here in a year moaning that they look like spaniel's ears but for now I'm happy.

I'm pretty happy with my figure - would like more muscle tone, but weight wise and size wise, I'm happy. I like my little wrinkles, I feel they add character to my face. If I had €10,000 in the morning, I think I would spend it on my teeth. A dazzling smile, no matter what your figure is like, is always remembered.

Daisies

Daisies wrote: »

Lots of things make a person beautiful. Unfortunately we are not always best placed to see the beauty in ourselves as we are constantly comparing ourselves to the beauty we see in others.

You're spot on Daisies.

Up until probably this year, I would never have considered myself to be beautiful, ever, I never ever felt beautiful in my life. While I still physically feel very plain I realise that there are people out there that see me as beautiful because of my personality, because I smile a lot and because I'm a nice decent person. I still wish I could change things about myself physically, a lot of things in fairness, but I'm becoming more and more comfortable in myself which I never thought I could do. I'm finally realising that my beauty is not only skin deep.











I'm actually almost crying writing that because I never though I'd see the day when I'd say the above

Pembily

Deleted User wrote: »

You're spot on Daisies.

Up until probably this year, I would never have considered myself to be beautiful, ever, I never ever felt beautiful in my life. While I still physically feel very plain I realise that there are people out there that see me as beautiful because of my personality, because I smile a lot and because I'm a nice decent person. I still wish I could change things about myself physically, a lot of things in fairness, but I'm becoming more and more comfortable in myself which I never thought I could do. I'm finally realising that my beauty is not only skin deep.

+1

I see beauty as someone who is a beautiful person in the whole sense of the word. Beauty isn't only skin deep, it's how the person is on the inside.

I only call someone ugly when they are a nasty person, otherwise I try not to use the word as it's a very hurtful word.

Whoopsy that made me nearly cry reading it and am so glad you realised.

My eyes and hair are my favourite physical things about me, my stubbornness and laugh are two others.

Gauge

I was actually watching this video of some slam poetry that defines "pretty" as more than something on the surface just this morning, seems like it fits the thread, it really made me think about what I consider to be "beautiful".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6wJl37N9C0

I know the first bit of this might sound odd.

I have naturally lovely teeth and when I see the cost of getting any sort od dental work done I am so glad about my teeth.

I have a lovely smile and smile with my eyes, I have a twinkly eyes (something my husband loves )

I have a happy bouncy likable personality....apprenty temperament is as inherited as eye colour or hight so I must have been born happy:)

baby and crumble

baby and crumble wrote: »

I actually don't like being thought of, or thinking of myself, as beautiful. That's not to say I don't like myself, how I look, etc. But beautiful is not something I either aspire to or feel comfortable with...

krudler wrote: »

How come?

It might be to do with how I perceive my gender, I suppose. I mean I love being a woman, physically- but I identify with my male side very much also- I just feel uncomfortable with being thought of as 'beautiful' because of that. It's just the word, I have no problem with 'cute', 'gorgeous', etc. I don't really like 'pretty' either but it's not as uncomfortable for me. I guess I just prefer gender neutral physical descriptors...

Man, that's not what I would ever have expected myself to say.

I mean in the spirit of the thread, I have both physical and personality traits that I love- love my eyes, I have nice boobs, and I'm kind, and thoughtful- or at least I hope I am. So even though the idea of 'beautiful' isn't 100% comfortable for me, I do recognise things about myself that others would find beautiful. It's really just me being a bit pedantic I suppose!!

Das Kitty

Beautiful is moving closer to gender-neutral now, I think.

In my head anyway. I would often call men beautiful.

Pembily

Das Kitty wrote: »

Beautiful is moving closer to gender-neutral now, I think.

In my head anyway. I would often call men beautiful.

So do I, I don't get why men can't be beautiful. I also call men pretty

xDramaxQueenx

I wouldn't describe anything about myself as beautiful, but I wouldn't change anything about me. I'm happy that I'm not a bad person and that the friends and family I have love me for the weirdo that I am.

candy-gal1

Awesome thread OP!

Ive always liked myself and how I look tbh, except maybe during my preteen/very early teens stage when I had absolutly no sense of my style at all/wore no makeup etc etc, but I guess everyone has that phase at some point!

Right now, and over the past few years I can actually say I love myself and how i look, the majority of it anyway
I love being curvy, or even slightly more than curvy, its how I feel most comfortable with myself tbh, and its taken a while to realise this.
Best parts I like of myself would be :

Boobs
My dark eyes
My tiny size 3 feet and not exactly fat legs

x Purple Pawprints x

I've also called men pretty and beautiful.. I never actually thought about it that way.

I do agree that people who look stunning can seem less stunning if they have negative traits. A girl I know is very pretty but she's so mean and possessive and paranoid and is always in an absolutely foul mood that it makes her seem ugly.

Daisies

candy-gal1 wrote: »

Ive always liked myself and how I look tbh, except maybe during my preteen/very early teens stage when I had absolutly no sense of my style at all/wore no makeup etc etc, but I guess everyone has that phase at some point!

Right now, and over the past few years I can actually say I love myself and how i look, the majority of it anyway
I love being curvy, or even slightly more than curvy, its how I feel most comfortable with myself tbh, and its taken a while to realise this.

You have no idea how lucky you are. I wish I could be so happy about myself!

NegativeCreep

Does it really matter if you're not beautiful? Beauty isn't everything. I'd rank a good personality, being friendly and being able to have intelligent conversation (amongst other things) way higher than beauty tbh.
I don't think everyone is beautiful but I really don't think it matters!

candy-gal1

Daisies wrote: »

You have no idea how lucky you are. I wish I could be so happy about myself!

It takes a while for some sometimes, one of the things everyone needs to do is to stop trying to please others with their looks/dress and shape yourself how you think others want, just do it for you and make the effort for yourself!
Im sure you can find at least three things about yourself you really like, and when you do concentrate on those areas and play them up, for you.
If you treat yourself well it shows up in the happiness in your face and eyes, and the people who like you as you like to be are the ones that you want to be around, no matter how many or few they are, at least you know you dont have to pretend.

Daisies

NegativeCreep wrote: »

I'd rank a good personality, being friendly and being able to have intelligent conversation (amongst other things) way higher than beauty tbh.

I would class those things as part of being a beautiful person

NegativeCreep

Daisies wrote: »

I would class those things as part of being a beautiful person

Depends on what kind of beauty you're talking about. Not everyone (including myself) is physically good looking but yes, a beautiful personality is more attractive anyway.

Daisies

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Depends on what kind of beauty you're talking about. Not everyone (including myself) is physically good looking but yes, a beautiful personality is more attractive anyway.

I think a lot of people on this thread are talking about both physical beauty AND being a beautiful person as a whole!

seenitall

Daisies wrote: »

I think a lot of people on this thread are talking about both physical beauty AND being a beautiful person as a whole!

Tbh, when I look at the thread title, I don't think "inner beauty", I automatically think of my own standards for physical beauty; and NC is so right, IME - one doesn't have to do with the other at all.

I'd consider myself conventionally good-looking, that is to say I have plenty of confidence about my looks and my body, at a guess more than the average woman. Yet feeling beautiful has never brought me any happiness, or lasting love, or anything much of worth at all, and that's on account of my messed-up personality and long-standing issues with self-sufficiency and validation.

On the other hand, I have a friend who I could in all honesty say is not beautiful or pretty to any significant degree, but who is a kind and lovely person to be around, so of course just recently she got together with a lovely man, he treats her so well and is nice and funny and mature.

What's inside the head is SO much more important for our well-being than what the body looks like. Yet socially it seems to be the other way around, we are all conditioned to some degree (I'm a big culprit myself, as per the 1st paragraph) and people who maybe feel lacking in that department somehow, should realise this and start marching to their own drum a bit more.

Itwasntme.

In an ideal world, people would be judged on their ability to contribute positively to the planet. We do not live in such a world. Women in particular are judged especially harshly on their physical attributes. When I saw that video, I posted it to remind myself that the measure of my beauty should not be based upon popular and transient culture. I am more than a low percentage of body fat; more than how well I fit in skinny jeans; more than a good arse or a pair of 'sweet' knockers . I am beautiful because I am and I am so much more than my physical attributes.


Obviously my bed had two right sides this morning and I got up on both of them.

Catari Jaguar

One of the people I care about & whose opinion I value most in the world told me that I'm a beautiful person. If it's good enough for them...

Precious flower

I've definitely always had low-self confidence when it came to my looks. I always hated my hair, even though friends have said they'd kill for it (thick, slightly wavy hair) but I'd kill to not have as much hair, it's so much easier to style! Always hated being so short (5ft). Obsessed about my ears and nose which I hate! Always hated the fact that I was sallow skinned (always thought I looked sick). Hate my teeth (too small). Always thought 'Why would any guy ever look in my direction?'. But I've to stop comparing myself to every other woman I see, I can't change who I am and I just have to get over myself! :pac: Anyone would think I was self-obsessed the way I go on!:P

beks101

seenitall wrote: »

What's inside the head is SO much more important for our well-being than what the body looks like.

This.

I have a cousin who is an absolute head-turner. Tall, blonde,
cracking figure, stylish, always looks like she walked off the cover of a magazine.

Yet she's one of the most self-conscious & insecure people I know; won't leave the house without several inches of makeup on her face, is an active bulimic, needs all eyes on her when she walks into a room to feel good about herself.

She's beautiful and miserable and her low self-esteem means she attracts a lot of negative types into her life.

Maybe it's the raging feminist in me, but I feel uneasy with the notion that women should strive to be thought of as 'beautiful', or the importance of feeling 'beautiful' in the physical sense - although I know in this context it's the anti 'classic beauty' images we're bombarded with every day. Dove campaign stuff.

To me, while it's lovely to be encouraged to have that 'freedom' to see beauty when you look in the mirror even when it doesn't reflect a supermodel back at you, it's just placing more emphasis on the fact that as women, we live in a society where we are defined by our looks.

Why is it important for me to feel 'beautiful', anymore than it is for a man?

I'm 27 and how I look now will dramatically change as I age and things drop, hair greys, weight accumulates, skin sags. What won't change (I hope) is the fact that I strive to be as honest, kind, hard working, educated, open minded and compassionate a person as I can be, and those are the things that in my mind, define me.

Some people find me physically attractive now, some don't. I've struggled with body image issues forever, but when I look in the mirror I see a pretty girl with nice eyes, good skin and a bright smile. I see confidence, I see vulnerability. I see me - not to everyone's taste, but it's all I've got so it's got to be good enough for me.

But 'beautiful'? I don't need that word. I don't need to feel beautiful. I just need to feel happy in my own skin, I need that acceptance to radiate back at me when I look in the mirror.

Ilyana

Physically, I can think of things that make me attractive. I have big dark eyes, thick, wild curly hair, a sallow complexion, good bone structure, straight teeth, an hourglass figure, a petite but 'curvy' frame - i.e. short with big knockers! It's sometimes difficult to think of myself in such a complimentary way, but people have told me these things, and most days I can see them for myself.

But what makes me beautiful? I'm not sure. My ex tells me all the things he loves about me, and adjectives such as 'kind' and 'loving' are interspersed with 'pretty' and 'sexy'.

Beauty has more than one meaning; it's easy to see an attractive or striking person and think 'Wow, they're beautiful'. But it's something quite different to call someone a beautiful person. I think it's when physical attraction and an emotional connection become intertwined - in a romantic context.

eviltwin

I would call myself average, even when I am all dolled up I still don't really stand out. I would think someone was having a laugh if they called me beautiful.

But its not important to me, years ago when I was younger and more worried about what other people thought of me I would have obsessed over my looks but as others have said its one thing to look a certain way, its quite another to be a beautiful person as a whole.

I'd rather hear someone say about me that I am a really decent sort rather than hear I look beautiful.

SarahBeep!

eviltwin wrote: »

I would call myself average, even when I am all dolled up I still don't really stand out. I would think someone was having a laugh if they called me beautiful.

Once, when he was drunk, an ex told me I was average.

That's one thing I can identify about my self, I dont have anything that makes me stand out, that makes me special.

Daisy78

SarahBeep! wrote: »

Once, when he was drunk, an ex told me I was average.

What a charmer, I can see why he is an ex.

meeeeh

I know I can be attractive when I dress well. I'm not always happy with myself and being nine months pregnant I feel fat and walk like a duck at the moment and even later when I won't be, I'll need some time to feel good. That being said, I was far from good looking as teenager and full of insecurities. It took me long time in my twenties before I realized that I can be quite good looking and I became more confident in my skin. I definitely don't look as well now than I did in my twenties but luckily I kept the confidence. So now even if I want to be a size or two smaller, I still feel I can be presentable and look well when I make an effort. I don't know how much inner beauty I have but screw that, sometimes it is nice to be shallow.

In general and nothing to do with my image of myself, I often find conventional beauty boring. There is a reason that very good looking girls who model are called Irish models and that those often a lot less conventianolly pretty have good international career. They are just way more interesting than Georgia Salpas of this world.

tbh

Deleted User wrote: »

. While I still physically feel very plain I realise that there are people out there that see me as beautiful because of my personality, because I smile a lot and because I'm a nice decent person.

I hope I'm not embarrassing you, or speaking out of place, because I know we've not interacted much on boards, but I'm one of those people. Sincerely - you genuinely inspire me. You've a strength of character I aspire to. I think the way you've dealt with what you've dealt with should be used in schools to teach kids. I think of you and your husband often, and I wish good luck for both of you.

Sorry if that embarrasses you. I don't mean to be weird or creepy. It's just.. You're amazing.

I'm not beautiful, not to look at, nor am I a decent person underneath. I'd be lying if I pretended I was. But I'm happy inside my own head. I gave up feeling aware of my own skin quite some years ago. Not everyone is beautiful, and "beautiful inside" is what I've found people expecting of anyone who is not beautiful on the outside... ugly people apparently also have to be nice people. Why?

Lyaiera

I've been having a little think about this and I'm not sure how I connect up the idea of beauty. There's the obvious idea of physical beauty, but for me the word is more about the things I love. How many times do you hear someone say that all babies are ugly Winston Churchill lookalikes, but a parent will always think their own child is beautiful.

I guess I use beauty in a more romantic, poetic way than some people. I have friends who are not in any way stunners, but they're still beautiful and that's because I love them. Beauty to me is a result of an emotion I feel towards someone or something. I can look in the mirror one day and think I'm the ugliest person on the planet, and the very next day I'll be looking in the mirror finger-gunning myself (fnar,) winking and making the stupid wink-click sound.

Beauty is too important to be let rest with just what people look like.

leahyl

I have been told by a few people that I am very attractive but I just can't take compliments really well. I actually have very low self-confidence and self-esteem so comments like that make me feel better for a few hours but then I'm usually back to being critical of myself again. It's like I don't want people to think I'm stuck up or full of myself or something?!

My best feature would probably be my teeth - I have a nice smile I guess and I do look after myself physically - by dressing well and wearing makeup everyday (accentuate the positive as they say!pac:) but deep down I can be very nervous about myself in general - both personality wise and physically.

To me someone who is kind and caring and has a great personality - someone you can talk to and is genuine - is beautiful:) If they are also physically
attractive (and of the opposite sex:pac:;)) then it's a bonus:)

LollieB

Beautiful thread title!

I was diagnosed with Body Dysmorphia in the past year & I'm only coming to terms with how bad it is & how much I've let if affect & control me for the best part of my life so far. I even strive for beauty, I am aiming for simply pretty or attractive. Failing that, I just want to accept myself, my looks & my personality!

What I see in the mirror changes pretty much daily. Sometimes I despair so much at what I'm looking at, it can take me ages to 'fix' myself up enough to just get something from the car, never mind further afield. Sometimes, I think I look attractive & can leave the house happy but I have to avoid looking at reflective surfaces & other mirrors etc. It's ALWAYS a reflection of how I feel about myself & how my mood is that day.

Hairdressers always, always comment on my lovely, healthy, thick head of hair that is naturally curly but goes perfectly straight. I see my prematurely greying hair & feel old.

Random people will comment on my big green eyes- I worry that they've noticed my unibrow(which I pluck away all the time!) & the sagging, wrinkling skin around my eyes.
Everyone tells me my big boobs are great- I'm on a waiting list for a reduction due to my dysmorphia affecting my personal life. I could go on & on about every body part but I wont.

I've taken down most mirrors in my place to avoid looking at myself & I can't look at myself right in the eye either. When I feel good, it's as if my whole face changes & these things melt away. I see a totally different person- I see the me, that I feel I am.

I'm told (by friends & family) that I'm a funny, kind, smart, interesting person- qualities that make a person attractive. I try my best to believe them but I never feel like it's 'enough'. I do exercises with my counsellor to work my way through this yet I don't know how to believe these things about myself! So frustrating! I finally told my friends about it & their response was incredible. Although I'm not sure if they fully understand me, they fully support me & that was so touching. It alleviated my fear that I was going crazy(!) & the secrecy around the whole bloody issue.

Some of the posts here are inspiring- Beks101, you're post in particular stood out to me. I hope to be able to accept myself someday soon & appreciate myself inside & out. I don't need to be beautiful either, just want to be attractive & myself.

IvyTheTerrible

Personally, beauty for me is both inside and outside. Like other posters have said, a gorgeous girl who turns out to be a bitch is instantly less beautiful to me.

With regards to myself, I've never felt good looking. I remember when I was 12, that was when I realised I was ugly. Now I don't know if anyone else feels like this, but I've only started feeling attractive since I got pregnant and had my baby. BUT this says something about my level of confidence that people say my baby is good looking, but also that he looks like me, so sometimes I don't believe the people who say he is good looking, because how can he be if he looks like me? (i know in my head that this is ridiculous but I can't help it).