Just the Way You Are

Unlike many Americans, I still listen to the radio on the regular. With the invention of in car audio options such as CD and mp3 players and online streaming sites that customize music, radio is no longer the belle of the ball. I like the radio. I'm a creature of habit, and my morning and afternoon routines involve my favorite DJ's bantering back and forth with their listeners.

Unfortunately, this means that I am subjected to listening to the same 10 songs over and over on every station. One song that is on heavy rotation at this point in time is "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. While I admit that the sentiment is sweet, the song lyrics annoy me. A lot.

There is a line in the song that states, "I know when I compliment her she won't believe me," and later, "Her laugh she hates but I think it's so sexy." I think that this song speaks to far too many women in the US, and I need to say - STOP IT!!!

This self degradation is all too commonplace, and although Bruno Mars may think it's cute, your best girlfriends think it's highly obnoxious (well, not all of them. Most of them are probably guilty of it as well). Why do we as women find it so hard to take a compliment? And conversely, why do we feel the need to fish for them? ("oh no, you look amazing in those jeans." "Really? I had two mochaccinos. I'm totally fat." "No you're not!" blah, blah, BLEH!!)

It's time for us to quit bonding over self loathing. (I too am guilty of this, btw.) Next time you feel the need to put yourself down, flip the script and pay yourself a compliment. Do you spend time harping on your unbouncy hair? Get a teasing comb and some root lifter and tell yourself how pretty your eyes are instead. Find at least ten things that you like about yourself, and use these as your go-to compliments until you've successfully flogged the negative nelly right out of your head.

Learn how to take a compliment as well. When someone says you look pretty, just say thank you. They won't think that you're snooty, arrogant, or self centered if you are sincere. It's okay to acknowledge that you agree.

Self acceptance breeds confidence which helps improve every aspect of our lives. Come on girls - let's really give Bruno something to think about, because we are all amazing - Just the Way We Are  (YEAH!)