For centuries, women have squeezed, pinched, and twisted themselves into the era’s interpretation of beauty. From bruised ribs to broken feet, beauty was elevated over comfort.
Today, outlooks have evolved to consider more than just appearances. Women are taking back their power and comfort through their routines and core principles.
Comfort isn’t lazy, and beauty doesn’t have to be harmful. Let’s explore how women’s comfort and well-being are being recognized and nurtured today.
1. Beautiful, Inside and Out
The tiniest splinter can cause enough distraction to throw you off your game. So when something bigger is happening, imagine how much of your life can go off-kilter.
Women face many challenges that are unique to the female experience: menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and finally, menopause.
When a person is at ease in their body, it shows. A comfortable woman doesn’t worry about taking up space. She walks confidently, makes eye contact, and takes her seat at the table.
As women reach midlife, it also represents a time when concern for approval reduces. However, the timing syncs up with the onset of hormonal discomfort.
Women at this phase of life may experience vaginal dryness that is bothersome throughout the day and during intercourse. Both the awareness of this dryness and the relationship impact can cause a blow to one’s confidence.
A vaginal moisturizer (see Solvwellness.com) can be an essential part of a comfort-focused beauty routine. By taking care of this very personal need, women can maintain their intimate life and strengthen their relationships. A woman who feels loved, desired, and cherished is often at her most beautiful, no matter her age.
2. Confidence Transforms Wellbeing
True confidence is found when you’re living as your truest and fullest self. Gone are the masks that we don for others’ pleasure or preference.
Own your personality, expertise, and right to exist in the world. This might seem like a concept too meta to digest. However, women have been battling imposter syndrome and fighting for their fair place for generations.
Build up your confidence by getting to know yourself without the labels and expectations placed upon you. Work with a therapist to discover dormant life experiences that may be behind your biggest fears. Whether you experienced major trauma, challenging family dynamics, or basic need insecurity, these experiences manifest throughout life.
Coping mechanisms that aided you in the past may no longer work. Give yourself permission to unpack and release the emotions and situations that made you who you are. While you can’t undo things of the past, working through them can help you live your most authentic life.
Envision what you want to be like and develop a mantra or affirmation to reinforce it each day. Say it in the mirror when you wake up and as you go about your routine. The more you state this mantra out loud, the more your brain will begin to believe it as true.
This mantra can be as simple as “I am confident in my abilities” or more specific. Try to keep yours short and memorable to make the practice one that sticks.
3. A Modern Take on Beauty Regimens
Finally, women are setting aside the 12-step beauty routine habit for a fresher face. Trends come and go, but healthy, nourished skin stands the test of time.
If you’ve been a liquid foundation devotee, making the switch to a bare face can feel extreme. However, doing so, at least on the weekend, can give your skin a much-needed break and be refreshingly free. Even celebrities with decades-old reputations of being “done up” are opting for a more natural look.
Simplify your skincare routine that supports healthy skin structure, repair, and moisture. As the body‘s largest organ and important barrier against external threats, your skin deserves quality attention.
Follow an easy schedule that supports your skin and concerns that is simple enough to maintain. Always follow product labeling to ensure formulas are safe to use with other products and medications.
4. Daily Rituals Enhance Wellness
Habits often go on autopilot, as your brain focuses on more imminent threats. Just like you arrive at work without a memory of the commute, so too can you go through your life.
Stop, quiet your mind, and observe the world around you. Consider if what you do today aligns with who you are. As a human, you’re growing and changing constantly, and your life experiences add to your perspective.
If you’ve always ended your day with a glass of wine to unwind, reaching for it is a reflex. However, you might not truly value that habit today. The goal isn’t to vilify your current routine, but rather to inspect it for relevancy.
Write down your observations and assess your habits like you would in a performance review. Whether it’s the hustle culture, social media, or social circle that no longer fits, give yourself permission to move forward.
Redefine Beauty for a New Era
Our future daughters and sisters don’t have to suffer through adolescence and adulthood. When beauty standards are redefined and the whole of a person is cared for, society can change.
Women don’t need to punish themselves for the approval and acceptance of others. Creativity, inspiration, and care for others have more room to expand when they are comfortable.
Be radical in advocating for your needs mentally and physically, seeking out what you need to be your best. During this period of change, there will be pushback, but persistence pays off. When beauty standards aren’t a barrier, women and the world thrive.
