This post is seriously overdue. If I told you I know two tricks to boost your self-esteem (or that of your wife/sister/mother/daughter…), you’d probably say “At last!”.
No matter how much people say appearances don’t matter, I’m pretty sure we all look at ourselves in the mirror and want to feel good about ourselves. Inside and out.
Don’t be afraid if it gets too personal.
There are 2 drastic (i.e. effective and durable) measures that can make women happy these days:
- breasts improvements – a lift, a reduction or an augmentation, whatever it takes so you happily fill the cup of your choice! (Of course Wonderbra, push-ups, and the like can do the trick if you only need a little help, but they just don’t fit the drastic requirement).
I have a dear friend who longed to have the breasts she no longer had (and some!) after having her children; she was insecure about her body, she was I believe a bit embarrassed to wear form fitting clothes. She is a tall attractive woman, and she wanted to feel better about herself.
It’s been a few months now, she has told me how good she feels about herself and how she probably should have done it sooner.
Therefore, my point is that if plastic surgery can make you a happier person, don’t let any judgment stop you. Do what is right for you. If you can afford it.
- laser hair removal — can’t beat the fast-acting, long-lasting and care-free factor! No more excuses to skip a hard workout at the pool or at the gym, no more reasons not to wear that gorgeous dress because you did not wax/shave… Who has time for this?
The convenient factor is huge here. Maybe it isn’t so much about the looks? There is one thing I can say: facial hair can be a huge pain to deal with. Who wants to use harsh hair removal creams or wax on their face (let alone spend hours with tweezers) every week for the rest of their life?
Of course the above represent some sort of investment.
But can you put a price tag on self-esteem?!
I have not taken the recourse of the chest correction surgery, but if I ever birth another baby and nurse for another 12 months, I very well may! (It’s not on my list yet, but what if!?)
Seeing the difference such a “small”change can make on a person goes a long way in saying: why wait? If you are not happy about the way you look, do something, now! Sadly no matter how much your exercise, you cannot grow or shrink the girls, and that’s too bad.
So tell me, what matters most to you? Would you make a cosmetic change to pump up your self-esteem for a lifetime?
It's so good to have you back! Share your thoughts, I LOVE comments!
Laser hair removal does not interest me one bit but I am not very hairy and I rarely shave.
And as for my breasts, I will likely have reduction surgery one day. I don’t want to be 80 with them around my knees. I saw enough of my grandmother to know where I am headed.
Financially though, I would chose other things than permantly altering my body.
Kristin @ Peace, Love and Muesli recently posted…Good Food On My Face
Oh Kristin, my swimsuit is not very forgiving and the cliche about the French not shaving (nor bathing!) precedes me… I hate worrying about my underarm and my bikini. All I want to do is swim. But there seem to be some conventions you cannot part with…
Of course it’s got to make sense financially, not every one can fork out the $10K (or so) that it takes to get that kind of procedure done, but if you think you will get it done, then maybe it’s worth saving yourself some trouble now. Here is to a successful blogging career so you can afford whatever you might wish!
I suppose self esteem is not always on the priority list, I may sound like a rich daddy’s girl, I’m not. I just chose to invest my tax return money (from last year) where I would have otherwise not spent the cash. And laser hair removal is “only” a few hundred dollars, not thousands. Thank goodness for that!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maryline O, Maryline O. Maryline O said: What do you think boosts a woman's self esteem the most? Tell me here: http://bit.ly/93eOoA #cwpit [...]
Neither.
Of course after two children nursed for a total of 14 months, I wish my girls would look like they did when I was 20. But that’s just it, I’m not 20. I’m 31 and I have had two kids and was able to nurse them until they didn’t want to anymore. That’s the up side for me.
I think I fall into the category of strange women who don’t place importance on exterior “things”. I get a much bigger rush by participating in a conversation with a really smart person where I know more or just as much about a topic. For those who place importance on looks and judge me on those aspects, I say – wait a while. Eventually, you’re beauty will fade and you will wrinkle, but the sad part is that you won’t be able to appreciate the beauty in aging and what it means to have the privilege of living a long life.
On the other hand, it would be nice to never have to shave again
Balanced Melting Pot recently posted…How to make Haitian meatballs
Oh I wish it was an option, like a switch, where you could simply tick: “[ ] No, I do not wish to care about how I look, how my clothes fit me, how hairy my armpits are.”
I am one to care just enough that if I can make it convenient, I will. Like laser hair removal… But I think Lydia’s addition, laser eye surgery, is another great example. I’m lame for having picked two examples that are essentially cosmetic.
Sadly I anticipate most of my self-conscious readers will choose not to share their thoughts — either to protect their own privacy or to avoid the subject all together. I will have to find a better way to approach that topic.
Thanks for voicing your opinion, it really helped me realize this post is a bit too shallow to my taste. Not my intention…
I’m not worry about my ‘girls’, though they’re not big but they “fit” me as I’m petite. On the other hand, I would *love* never to shave anymore ever! I hate unwanted hair (I have to shave like every week. Sigh…). If I may add another treatment in my wish list: laser eye surgery. I’m kind of tired wearing glasses or contacts
Lydia recently posted…Weekly Round-Up- SUMMER- Its a WRAP!
I totally agree with you on the laser eye surgery. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 18 months old! But I now wear them mostly when I’m reading or working on the computer.
Shaving is a pain in the butt!
Well, looks like we are on the same page here!
After three kids including one set of twins that parked in there for 37 weeks, and then nursed for two years… well nothing is what it used to be. If I wanted to look anything like my pre-baby self it would be necessary for both the boobs and the belly. But I have never been a fan of plastic surgery. And I think I there is very little that could convince me otherwise. I’d rather find other ways to boost my self esteem.
Besides I am a needle freak, can’t stand them. So doing it on purpose is just creepy to me.
Andrea recently posted…would you hit your gardener
I forgot a key element, that of achievement. Every time I feel proud of myself, it boosts my self-esteem. Like a race (triathlon or running race). Or whenever I manage to make a home meal from scratch for family or friends.
You know what? It’s the first time that I write a post that gives me regrets. I will need a re-write, and soon.
Whatever works is probably the answer, just like with motherhood, you figure it out as you go along and it’s nobody’s business
I’m still dying to know what boosts your self-esteem then?
As you know ( since you’ve been helping though it all ), i picked up running and triathlons about 6-8 months ago. From scratch. With that , came a lot of changes in my body. Mainly, i lost some weight ( not that i was ever overweight) but i also saw my girls as you say shrinking. The more i run, the more they shrink. My self esteem took a hit. I admit being borderline depressed about it a couple times. I even bought push up bras ( yup, me!!). But you know what? every time i cross the finish line, every time i come back from a run, every time i can lift something ( no later than 1 hour ago when i could lift up the boat for the first time), my self esteem sky rockets. So i ask myself. ok so i’m in a better shape but with that comes a bad surprise. Now what? Am i gonna stop running!? No way!! it’s the best high, the more adrenaline i’ve ever got! It’s a matter of choice i guess and priorities and i’d much rather be healthy, active, athletic and happy than having the perfect body. So what boosts my self esteem? Being able to achieve what seemed challenging, even impossible a few months back. Pushing myself to new limits.
That makes me proud, more so than my body for sure. Because it requires some work. It would be easy to go spend money ( if you have the money of course) in cosmetic surgery and get the “perfect body” but i’d much rather push myself to new challenges, being it sports, work, home improvement projects, being a better friend, a better person all together. That ‘s my self esteem
Now, what is true for me is not true for everybody. We all look at ourselves on the mirror in the morning and react to it differently . Some give into plastic surgery or expensive treatments for respectable reasons and if it brings a smile on their face, why not?It is a very personal thing, a very personal decision. You brought up laser hair removal , i do it. It’s pricey but i love it. I haven’t shaved in 3 years and you wouldn’t tell. Self esteem? Nah, i just find it worth it. It’s always smooth, i only have to worry about but a couple times a year.
I do it more out of laziness and than anything else. My self esteem most definitely is into setting goals and working at reaching them.
People? I had it all wrong in that bloddy post. Catherine, you are… so right. I still believe whatever works, you should do it. I overlooked so many good reasons and focused on physical changes by mistake. I promise.
And like you, I’m just lazy with the grooming part…
I am lucky to have good enough genes that I don’t have much to worry about my average body — a push up will do
I am without words now, because Catherine said it all better that I was able to.
How I boost my self-esteem:
A) I’m running a half marathon in Oct. with an amazing group of women.
B) Writing on my blog and getting comments, (the good the bad and the ugly)
C) My kids hugs.
Andrea recently posted…would you hit your gardener
Fantastic! Especially C) of course!
Now, tell me, which half marathon? I’m contemplating Baltimore…
I think most women would get a boost in self esteem if there were a body part that was immediately improved. But for many of us that is not an option! So everyone needs to find what makes them most authentically happy! Whether it be the easiest and purest of joy like a hug from your child or busting your butt in a marathon. I think your post is great! It gets people thinking!!! Cheers.