Appreciate How You Present Yourself (Dear Wednesday)

This month we are celebrating Winning Women. Those who are and have shown the ability to win when everything looks like a loss. We have interviewed two amazing women on Challenge Yo Self podcast thus far and have gained a wealth of knowledge that will grow and push us through the rest of our lives. In honor or Winning Women May, this Dear Wednesday letter is an encouragement to you and your Womanhood. It is meant to be a reminder that you are beautiful, courageous, creative, intelligent and confident both inside and out. Enjoy this week’s Dear Wednesday Letter as you celebrate yourself.

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Dear Wednesday,

"Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside." ~ Coco Chanel

I remember the stress, the hustle and craziness of undergraduate school. I had an overloaded class schedule and it was all I could do to make it through the day with my sanity in-tact. So, when it came to my outward appearance, I got to the point where I just did not care. I rolled out of bed, did my personal hygiene routine (i.e. brushing teeth, shower and maybe lotion), put clothes on my body and head out the door. I was not concerned with how I presented myself. Now, I write this knowing that some people may be upset with this story. However, before you make any assumptions just keep reading.

"I think there is beauty in everything. What 'normal' people perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it." ~Alexander McQueen

During that time in my life, I had gained weight and subsequently felt that my beauty had faded. I stopped caring and used the stressors in my life as an excuse to neglect myself. Until one day a friend said something to me that made me think about the way I presented myself to others. This friend was a fellow science student so he also had an incredibly heavy and fast paced schedule. However, I would see him in class always looking presentable, even on his “bad days” he had a sense of decorum and pride in how he presented himself. One day I commented on this observation and noted that I was just too tired or did not have time to care the way he did. He then turned and said to me “If you look better, you feel better, and you do better” ~ Melvin M.

I will never forget this quote. He was not saying that you need to dress to the nines and put on makeup, do your hair etc.. to impress others. Instead he was saying when you feel good about yourself, it shows. It is reflected in how you physically represent yourself to society. It is not about what other people think about you, it is about what you think about you.

"People will stare. Make it worth their while." ~Harry Winston

Let’s take a minute to be honest, shall we… If you enter your Doctor’s office and they walk in to your room with a stained and wrinkled shirt, disheveled hair and crust in their eyes, how confident would you feel about being under their care? That is the point, confidence and self-worth is exuded when you possess it deep in your core. After that conversation, also after I got over myself and got over being mad at him for telling me the truth, I decided to take care with my appearance just I as took care to study hard.

Let me tell you, it actually worked! When I began taking care of my skin and wearing clothes that excited me, I did feel good. At times I felt that I could conquer the world. So, this is my encouragement for you today during this Winning Women month of May…. It does NOT make you shallow to care about your appearance, you are not shaming your body if you decide to dress differently or workout, or gain weight! Wearing makeup does NOT make you phony. How you present yourself to others i.e. family, friends, professionals, your mate, reflects who you are. I believe you have something special to offer internally that will permeate externally as your love for yourself deepens.

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny." ~Coco Chanel

You are a Winning Woman!

Air Hugs and Air Kisses,

Ashley Marcel

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This Dear Wednesday Letter was hand-crafted by AshleyMarcel an Administrative Guru, Public Health advocate, Graduate Student, Mentor, Motivator and Cultural Enthusiast. Ms. Marcel has worked closely with both men and women both domestically and abroad helping to build stronger communities and healthier people. She has worked in the administrative world for over five years and is currently studying public health research. Look out for Ms.Marcel, there is much more to come! You can find AshleyMarcel on social media @anwilli7 on IG.