Self-confidence is one of the most common problems faced by women all over the world. Unfortunately, because black women are a minority group, they often don't think they are as beautiful as other girls. This inferiority can be based on social perceptions that are affected by race, social status, age, height, weight, or the level of attractiveness that is influenced by society. In addition, black girls may also experience racism, sexism, and being marginalized. Black girls deserve to feel confident and enhance the positive characteristics of their appearance and racial/cultural background. Learning to love your skin color is the first step to becoming a confident black girl.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Caring for Skin Color
Step 1. Smile often in the mirror
Many studies show that smiling can be a great way to feel happier and more satisfied with yourself and your life. Smiling in the mirror can really help you become confident.
Every morning before traveling, take time to practice the following mirror technique. Stand in front of a mirror with straight posture and shoulders. Take a deep breath. Smile at yourself. Pay attention to your characteristics that you like. Do you like your eyes? your new lipstick color? Your trendy hairstyle?
Step 2. Say the "spell"
The mantra in question is a sentence that we repeat in our hearts over and over again throughout the day. If the sentence is negative, you will feel less proud of yourself and less confident. Positive sentences can make you more excited to make dreams come true.
- You can say a mantra in front of a mirror or think about it while meditating or doing activities in the morning like making your bed and brushing your teeth. If repeatedly said, the positive thing will eventually become a reality. You can also say a mantra when you are feeling very stressed or doubting yourself.
- A mantra can be a quote or song lyric that reflects your life principles, or a simple statement like "I'm not lacking" or "Don't focus on achieving the end result, but on always learning and growing."
Step 3. Write down your strengths
If you lack confidence, take some time and think about your strengths. Sit down and write down the advantages. The list reminds you of things you should be proud of and over time, become more confident. Sometimes, we are so focused on the things we want that we forget who we really are.
- The character in question can be physical, academic, or professional. For example, you could make a list of the following traits: I have fair and beautiful skin. I am a hard worker. My legs are strong and healthy. I am smart. I'm a good friend. I am a good person. I'm creative. My body is good.
- Think about your positive qualities and you will feel better prepared to face the outside world as a strong and beautiful person.
- Read the list of advantages when you feel sad or uncomfortable with yourself. Hang the list on your dresser so you can see when you get ready. You can also store it in the refrigerator, or keep smaller pieces of paper in your wallet for easy access at all times.
Step 4. Understand your culture
Research shows that black people often go through several stages in defining models of racial identity. The first stage is to see white people as better people and see themselves as inferior. However, at the last stage, you will accept your culture and become more confident. A thorough understanding of your historical and cultural background can help you accept and be proud of your identity.
- You can read books and listen to inspirational figures who explain all aspects of your culture. You can also chat with the elderly in the family and the surrounding community who have the same racial background to find out their perspective.
- Know the inherent strength of your racial group. Despite experiencing historical racism and oppression, black people have many significant values such as emphasizing the importance of togetherness and community, focusing on making themselves better and getting an education, depending on family in times of need, and being deeply religious.
- By knowing information about yourself and your racial group, you will be able to realize the reasons to be confident and proud of your race.
Step 5. Dare to have an opinion
If you lack self-confidence, you may feel uncomfortable expressing your opinion, thoughts, or opinions. Every woman has to develop a unique way of expressing herself. Practice being assertive and non-aggressive.
Being assertive means expressing your opinion while respecting others. Ways that can be done to be assertive are to prepare for what will be said, use the phrase "I", do not blame others, and do not hold grudges
Part 2 of 2: Finding Strengths
Step 1. Accept your unique style and personality
Don't feel alienated because of your skin color or background. You can be whoever you want to be, and love things you love like country music, poetry, hunting and fishing, fashion, TV, or books.
- Find out what you like and don't like. You can change food, musicians, movies, animals, or anything you like. Learn things that you find interesting. Understand your culture and other cultures. Stop studying it if you find it boring. By knowing the things you like, you will feel more confident.
- Remember that it's okay to be yourself. You can decide what you will become. The choice is yours!
Step 2. Take care of your body, mind, and spirit
Another simple way to build confidence is to take care of yourself. If you take care of yourself, you will feel more confident when facing the world.
- By knowing that your body looks good, you will be able to be proud and appreciate it. However, not everyone can't seem like a fitness trainer. Exercise regularly and accept that the human body is unique and different. Learn to love your body regardless of its thin, medium, or fat condition. This link contains six physical activities that can make you more confident.
- In addition to treatment, you also have to make sure to consume enough vitamins and nutrients that your body needs to function optimally. Eat a nutritionally balanced diet consisting of low-fat meats, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Also drink 8 glasses of water or more every day for glowing skin.
- If you are sleepy or sleep deprived, your mental health and perception of yourself can be at risk. Regular sleep for 7-9 hours will improve self-confidence and overall health.
- Recognizing your spiritual side can increase self-confidence. If the spiritual side is highlighted, you will become more confident and sociable. Remember that you were born with a unique purpose.
Step 3. Keep your body clean
Keeping the appearance and smell of the body still smells good can make you confident. If you spend more time taking care of your appearance, you will be more confident. You can look and feel confident regardless of the type of clothing you wear. All you need to do is maintain your health, cleanliness and tidiness.
- Shower every day or every other day (depending on the dryness of the skin), apply deodorant, brush your teeth twice a day, floss before bed, and wash your face twice a day. Also remember to remove makeup before going to bed to keep your skin healthy. Treat your skin with moisturizer and sunscreen.
- Make your body smell good. Don't feel that a certain perfume doesn't suit you just because the person promoting it has a different skin tone. Wear perfume with whatever scent you like. Or, you can also avoid using perfume at all and replace it with natural oils, creams, and powders. Compliments "You smell good" from others can boost your confidence, especially if you don't use perfume or other scented products.
Step 4. Perform regular beauty treatments based on your natural skin and hair type
Black girls can have a variety of skin tones, from beige to dark mocha. Like hair, skin also has different complexities and types. Learn your skin and hair type and do weekly treatments to keep them healthy and luminous.
- Learn how to care for black hair. Regardless of your hair type (straight, braided, or curly), make sure that your hair is clean and healthy. African-American hair is very versatile because it can be undone, curled, curled, braided, dreadlocked, or styled in any style. Accept this fact and your natural beauty! You can learn about it through various online sources.
- Skin color usually will not determine the type of treatment product. Buy beauty products based on your skin type, such as oily, dry, sensitive, acne-prone, wrinkled, or rosacea. Regardless of skin type, most skincare requires a gentle facial cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, and makeup products that suit your skin's needs.
- Visit the beauty products section of a drugstore or supermarket and learn which products are best suited for your skin. The shop clerk will be able to help you. If you have specific skin problems such as keloids or acne scars (common in African American women), contact a dermatologist.
Tips
- Remember that if your insides (mentally and physically) aren't healthy, you won't feel well either. Take care of your body, mind and soul!
- Understand that you are still growing and your body is changing. We are all born with unique traits and appearances. As long as you take care of your body (by exercising, eating, and keeping it clean), you will look beautiful no matter what color your skin is!
- Understand that you deserve to be treated well. Take good care of yourself and people will realize that you deserve to be respected and treated well.
- Don't be narrow-minded, look at negative situations with a broad perspective, and try to keep making changes.
Warning
- Love yourself first. People who love you will appreciate you for who you are.
- Others will criticize you. Remember to ask yourself if the change will make you happy or grow as a person. If the change won't make you happy, maybe you shouldn't try to change
