A few weeks ago for the first time in like 3 years (and before that since I was about 13) I left my house without makeup on. I left my house without a lick of makeup on for 8 consecutive days. This might not sound like a big deal to some of you but for me, it was a HUGE thing.
Let’s back up a little bit. One Tuesday morning while I was spending time with the Lord I felt him say, “leave your house with no makeup on.” I felt really strongly that I was supposed to do this on Thursday. The thought popped into my head and I almost immediately labeled it as lunacy telling myself that I would never be brave enough to do that. Thursday morning rolls around and as part of my normal morning routine, I was about to pull out my makeup bag and start applying some, before I could think about what I was doing I put my makeup bag down and grabbed my purse instead and headed out the door. It was so scary and nerve-racking. It was like one of those dreams where you are walking down the street naked and it feels so vulnerable. Only this wasn’t a dream, it was real life.
As the day ensued, no one even noticed. As the hours turned into days I began to realize that people actually didn’t CARE if I wore makeup or not. No one looked at me like I was some three-eyed beast, life just carried on as normal. This was shocking and eye-opening…that no one cared but me. All this time I had been wearing makeup out of fear of what other’s would think about me only to realize this whole time they didn’t even notice.
Despite this, when I was having conversations with people I would have this thought like, “OH CRAP! I’m not wearing makeup right now and I’m actually in public having a conversation. I look horrible.” It sounds like the most ridiculous thing but it was so real for me. In these moment’s I would have to search for something much deeper within myself and “SHINE” from the inside out. I would pray and ask God to make me beautiful. The weird thing about this is that because of this, I noticed people noticing me more. Not to sound braggy but more guys hit on me during this week than have in a long time and I really do believe it was because of my inner beauty really having to shine through.
You don’t need to look perfect in order to be absolutely stunning and attractive people. You be yourself and rock the way you’ve uniquely been created and that will seep out into everything you do and will inevitably make you beautiful.
All of this to say, this journey for me wasn’t about the makeup. It was about loving myself no matter WHAT I looked like and about facing a big fear. For some people a soul-searching journey like this might look like you actually wearing makeup for the first time in a while, it might be a journey of health and fitness, or not wearing makeup like myself. It’s going to look really different for every person and that’s what makes it really beautiful.
Hear me when I say, I don’t think makeup or being good looking is bad. It’s the mindset behind the standards we place on yourself that can be negative. It’s easy to forget that a pretty face or totally shredded body never changed the world…who you are change’s the world. Kind hearts, inventive and courageous people are what change the world not perfect skin or killer abs. What really scares you that you should do starting today? I want to challenge you to be fearless, be bold, be brave. Be you. YOU DO YOU BOO. ILY
Here are my vlogs about this journey:
Wild Hearts 