The Beauty of True Beauty: Overcoming Insecurities
Hey there, my dear reader! Let me tell you a story about a lazy Saturday afternoon that turned into something quite eye-opening.
You see, when I have free time, my mind tends to wander to negative thoughts about my body and appearance. But, instead of letting those thoughts bring me down, I try to distract myself with something else.
That’s where Netflix came in. I stumbled upon the K-drama “True Beauty” and was hooked from the first episode. The story follows a girl named Lim Joo-Kyung who doesn’t fit society’s conventional beauty standards. Despite facing constant bullying and isolation, she stays true to herself and enjoys things that she loves, like listening to odd rap songs and reading spooky comics.
When Lim Joo-Kyung has a crush on a boy at her school, she decides to ask him out on a date with homemade cookies and concert tickets. But, of course, the bullies—who call themselves the “beauties"—make it their mission to ruin her happiness and embarrass her in front of everyone.
It made me realize that no matter where you live in the world, there’s always pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards. In Korea, beauty is particularly valued, which is evident from the country’s high rate of plastic surgery.
Our heroine, Lim Joo-Kyung, is really going through it. She began learning how to do makeovers. After her failed attempt at the clown makeup look, she’s considering getting plastic surgery or transferring schools. But with the help of her family and some newfound makeup skills, she transforms into the school’s new beauty queen. Everyone wants to be her friend, and she even lands herself a boyfriend, the hero of the story.
But as things were starting to look up, her old school video got leaked, and everyone found out about her true face. Talk about a major blow to her confidence! But she’s not one to back down, and with the help of her family and her supportive boyfriend, she finds the strength to show her true face to the world. Sure, there’s still some bullying going on, but she’s not letting it bring her down anymore.
And get this — our girl is pursuing her dream of becoming a cosmetologist! She’s come a long way from feeling down about her appearance and getting bullied for the way she talks. It just goes to show that with some love and support, anyone can overcome their insecurities and chase after their dreams.
“True Beauty” is a romantic comedy series. What I love about “True Beauty” is that it promotes self-love and acceptance. Lim Joo-Kyung may not have a perfect skin or a perfect smile, but she’s funny, charming, and has a fit body. In the end, it’s her personality and strength of character that makes her truly beautiful.
As I watched the show, I quickly realized that my insecurities were not unique to me. In fact, many of us hide our true selves to maintain our reputation, leading to more insecurities building up over time. But the show helped me to see that it’s okay to be myself, and that’s what I’m working on every day.
If you’re struggling with insecurity like I am, here are some reasons why it might be happening:
- Past experiences: Experiences from our past, such as bullying, rejection, or criticism, can leave us feeling insecure and doubtful of ourselves, just like in the show where the main character was bullied for her appearance.
- Comparison to others: In this age of social media, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others and feel like we don’t measure up. I used to compare myself to celebrities my age or younger and feel bad about myself.
- Unrealistic expectations: Holding unrealistic expectations of ourselves can contribute to feelings of insecurity. Trying to be perfect or always putting others’ needs ahead of our own can be exhausting.
- Lack of confidence: A lack of confidence in our abilities or skills can lead to feelings of insecurity, especially in new or unfamiliar situations.
- Trauma or abuse: Trauma or abuse can cause a person to feel insecure and question their worth and value as a person.
But don’t worry, there are ways to overcome insecurity! Start by identifying the source of your insecurity and giving yourself time to work on it. Remember to love and take care of yourself, just like you would someone else. True beauty is not about your looks or how you act, but about being yourself.
There are several steps you can take to help yourself feel more secure and confident:
- Identify the source of your insecurity: Start by identifying the specific areas in your life where you feel insecure. Is it related to your appearance, social skills, career, or relationships? Understanding the root cause of your insecurity can help you work on it more effectively.
- Challenge negative self-talk: Insecurity often stems from negative self-talk or beliefs we have about ourselves. Identify any negative thoughts or beliefs you have about yourself and challenge them by asking yourself if they are really true. Try to replace them with more positive and realistic thoughts.
- Focus on your strengths: Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments and refer to them regularly. Recognizing your strengths and successes can help boost your confidence and combat feelings of insecurity.
- Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself can help you feel more confident and secure. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and doing things that make you happy and fulfilled.
- Surround yourself with supportive people: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Avoid people who bring you down or make you feel insecure.
- Seek professional help: In some cases, overcoming insecurity may require professional help. Consider seeking therapy or counseling to help you work through your feelings and develop strategies for building confidence and self-esteem.
Remember, overcoming insecurity is a process that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, and celebrate your progress along the way.
Go ahead and embrace your true self, my friend! You’ve got one life, so make it a great one.
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