[Artchic528]

I have always deprived myself the ability to feel more than a moment's joy in my appearance. Mostly for fear of being vain or overly prideful of myself. You see, I was brought up in the Catholic faith and they sort of frown on that stuff. I took this to heart and always told myself to stop being so vain about my appearance.

I guess it was sort of imposed on me because I was always, and still am, fair skinned, red headed and dark blue eyed. Not to sound boastful, but my mother says I was unnaturally pretty as a little girl. So much so that she feared I would be taken away from her by kidnappers. So I guess I wasn't necessarily made to be ashamed of my looks, but rather to not think so highly of them in a way. Normal enough lesson, I suppose, but taken too far for too long.

This morning I decided to forgo the whole idea of forbidding myself to feel happy about my appearance and indulge in it. Boy does it ever feel good! Is this what it feels like to love oneself? I feel all warm and fuzzy and giddy inside.

[gayleggg]

Good for you. I'm glad you were able to find happiness.

[divine1966]

It's important to feel proud of your looks. And you should be! Why not! Start with that then move on to personal qualities and talents. Etc etc

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Your happiness shines through in your writing - and your hair/skin/eye colour sounds beautiful.

[Thunder Bow]

You are right on about the feelings. Good work

[Artchic528]

I just wanted to update you all and say that I am feeling as elated as I was this morning. I might even be too happy to let small things bother me anymore. I hope this feeling lasts a long time.

[Artchic528]

So I wanted to just say that I realize what a healthy relationship should be. It should be like the icing on the proverbial cake of happiness. You should be happy with and love yourself first and foremost, and the romance should complement that happiness in a harmonious and beautiful way. Together it's unstoppable!

I just now, having felt love for myself in abundance, feel that completely. Emotions are funny. Aren't they?

[divine1966]

Don't they say happiness comes from within

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[avlady]

one thing- it never hurts to put a little makeup on too. It makes you feel beautiful, i say this as i sold Avon and Mary Kay for awhile and a little touch up brings a little joy with it too. not to say we all need makeup, but it's fun to be around other women who build us up too. I recently had a friend call me and she was going on and on about how pretty she thought i was that i felt like a princess when i got off the phone with her. I am humble but wear make up and was also brought up in an Irish Catholic family, and rarely wore makeup until i was older. I am happy you feel good about yourself.

[BlueEyedMama]

Finding love for oneself after struggling with it in the past is most certainly a wonderful and uplifting experience filled with all sorts of emotions. I'm glad that you are experiencing it now and I hope that it continues.