To quote singer, Demi Lovato, “So what’s wrong with being confident?”

Why is confidence such a seemingly unobtainable goal in our everyday lives?

It has been conditioned in us, from a very young age as women, to hate ourselves….and if not ourselves, at least our bodies. It may stem from how your mother picked at herself in critical ways, or a classmate teasing you about an insecurity, or even having an unhealthy relationship with comparison of others.

We could blame it on the media (which has its fair share of negative influences) and ban all magazines and photo-spreads, shut down our Instagram, and block out the world as being “toxic.” I believe that a better route is to lead by example in changing the way that society views women and pass that along to our children and those we come in contact with. Good things can spread as well as negative. I call for us to stand up in a movement of positivity towards all women, and that journey begins with ourselves.

Something that  changed my life forever is writing the words “you are beautiful” as the screen saver on my phone. Every day to unlock my messages, I would have to swipe past those three important words and repeat them to myself (whether I felt that way or not). Just the simple act of setting intention to love yourself every day can make all the difference in the world. You may have to “fake it till you make it,” but eventually you will create new pathways in your brain that have you believing in yourself as a worthy person of beauty.

I challenge you to tell yourself, one time, every day, how beautiful you are. It may be in a little note to yourself, a glance in the mirror, or a silent chant in your head during spin class. Makeup or no makeup, bad hair day or not, stare your demons right in the face and tell them that you are confident and I believe you will learn to live that confidence.

Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but in those who believe in its power.

Take control of your own self-confidence and let your inner beauty shine out!

Photography Credit @thealexlasota

Makeup @itshair_uh

Jewelry  @sparkleswithsarah