"You're So Vain?" - Tips to Beating Vanity

You can’t help it – you bought that new dress, put on some fresh makeup, worked off a few extra pounds, and got a new hairstyle (or wig) – and DANG, do you look good girl! Okay, so maybe you didn’t do all of those things – but there have been days when you look in the mirror and you say, “Yeah baby!” As for myself, well – I’ve been working out and have found muscles I never knew existed (did you know that abs really DO exist?). So, yes – I catch myself flexing, making silly faces, wearing fitted clothes and feeling hot to trot (this is new for me). Thankfully, there are only so many mirrors in my house – and so, the look of vanity quickly dissipates. Truthfully, I try hard NOT to look in the mirror – as I worry that this new experience of self admiration will go to my head. So, how do you keep vanity in check when it’s so very apparent that you (not me, I’m talking about you, Babealicious) – are so dang good lookin’? You obviously can’t help the fact that you were born with good genes or have somehow discovered your natural hotness. And so, when it shows up (your hotness) – what do you do to keep it from inflating your head with vanity? Not sure where to start – try these helpful tips:

1. Avoid Reflective Surfaces
I’m convinced that the magic mirror was the Evil Queen’s downfall in the tale of “Snow White.” Why? She abused the privilege and became vain, insanely so. Think of it, if mirrors hadn’t been invented, she would not have been able to reflect on her physical beauty or lack thereof. Her beauty (or true worth) would have been centered in the honorable admiration and gratitude of her servants, the people of her kingdom, stepdaughter, and her husband – the king. Why was Snow White so beautiful? If only the mirror had clarified, perhaps the wicked Queen would have understood the truth. Yes, Snow White was lovely – her lips were red as the rose, hair as black as the raven, and skin as white as snow – but so was her heart, pure and beautiful. It’s who you are and the things you do that make you beautiful, not the image reflected in the mirror. So cut back on your face time with the mirror, and focus instead on the real you. Journal about your positive inward attributes. What makes you a good person? What are your talents?
2. Watch Less TV
Seriously, not everyone wears current fashions, talks about hair, or how sexy that guy/girl is. Pure silliness. Don’t let yourself get caught up in it.
3. Shop Less, Save More
Cut it back to one new cute top or outfit a month (or every other month). I’m sure that it’ll be better on your budget, and cut back on your reflective face time.
4. Look Beyond Self
Become goal oriented in doing things that are of greater worth. Build hobbies that serve those around you; community service, writing thank you notes, learning a new skill that you can turn into something that will help others. This will not only help you to stop focusing on your good looks, but it will help you to have a proper perspective of beauty. In doing service by looking outward, you will find greater self worth, thus expanding your personal view of beauty to being rooted in things other than surface appearance.

One last thing . . . if you’re still laughing that I would even post an article about your hotness – well, I’ll post one about accepting your hotness – because it’s there. When you realize it, you’ll be soooo grateful that you have this article to help keep you humble. Love ya Babe!

Written By Marzee Dyer

27 years of age, Marzee has never been much farther than the green puddles of the Northwest (Oregon & Washington, USA). She has been happily married to Jon for seven years, is a stay at home mother of three, college student, and youth mentor. She is the founder of WomenAfire. Hobbies: Singing at church, dancing with her kids, hangin' with her husband, fitness, teaching, reading (Stephenie Meyer) & writing.

Photos By: vevi, slombardpdx