Are you really unique or are you just following what that Facebook post or that magazine headline told you to feel bad about.

I say this because I heard several friends and family over one weekend complain that they have nothing to wear, while staring at their exploding closets. And I wondered, how can you have so many clothes that you bought for yourself, but yet you have nothing to wear. #FirstWorldProblems

AND

2. I noticed that when I think of my physical appearance the things that I like most about myself, are the things that people compliment me on the most. So then I have to think, do I really like all those things, or do I only like them because other people like them.

So as I do when something confused me about myself, I challenged myself.

I challenged myself to stand naked in the mirror and really look at myself.

I did a full analysis.

What I usually get complimented on are my arms, “chest” shoulders, legs, smile and skin tone. And because of this, these are the assets that I try to accentuate when I get dressed to go out.

But after I stood face to face with myself and really looked at myself. I realized that only my skin tone and my “chest” duplicated on my own list.

A couple other items that hit the list…

I love my upper back. Some people think it’s too muscular, but I love that I actually made those muscles through hard work.

And I love my eyes. I think you can learn a lot about someone by looking deep into their eyes, and I feel that mine tell a lot about me.

So of course I’m going to challenge you. Let’s call this the “Naked Challenge” and here’s how it’s going to go.

WARNING: I know that this is scary for a lot of you, but change only happens when you get uncomfortable. Push yourself outside of that zone so you can really start to see yourself.

Make a list of your physical attributes that you have been complimented on more than 3 times.

Stand naked in front of the mirror ( full length mirror in a well lit room) and take it all in. Start with your hair at the top of your head and work your way down to your toes, take a minimum of 5 minutes (set a timer if you need to) all the way up to 10 minutes. I usually do this after the shower.

Write down any new physicalities that you love on yourself.

Compare lists.

I have made a ritual of this.

Every time I do this I feel a little more confident, because I have changed my focus. I used to focus on what I didn’t like, like my ‘love handles’ and started focusing on what I loved.

And with body confidence, you will find that when you stand in front of your closet, instead of disclaiming ‘I have nothing to wear!” you’re going to start saying “I don’t even know what to wear” because you have so many options.

It’s not what you have in your closet, but how you feel about them once they are on your body. WE ALL DO IT. But try this challenge as many times as you can, and then maybe you will start to see and feel differently!

In Positivity and Motivation,

Devon M. D. Jones