What Makes Me Feel Beautiful.

• Jeans that fit. Even if I don't like the size I need.
• Unexpected glitter on my skin, such as finding sparkles on my hands after using a glitter gel pen.
• Dancing, even if I'm just playing around at home.
• Jewelry. Earrings and necklaces are another way to express my style, and they make me feel confident. Out in the world, I get more compliments on my jewelry than anything else.
• Displaying photos of myself when I was truly happy. I have one in my living room. It reminds me of how capable I am of happiness and how pretty that happiness can be. It's also just a great photo of Oliver and me, so I see it when I visit family too.
• Being told I'm beautiful. As I've said, I get this from two men every day and on sweet rare occasions from others. People do need to be told they look great; I need to remember that.
• Swimming. I feel fluid and bright in the water.
• Hearing that I'm graceful. A few people have said this (when I was 12, 20...), and it's one of the best compliments.
• Wearing pink. Pink seems to do what even makeup can't. I feel aglow when I wear certain shades of pink.
• Wearing rings. Someone complimented my hands when I was 14, and I've never forgotten it. I love adding sparkle to my hands--rings catch the light and adorn my hands, which are precious tools without which I couldn't turn a page.
• Writing by hand. The pose and movement feel lovely, and I know I must glimmer when I'm deep in one of the actions I love most.
• Having Good Mother Moments. A good mother is always beautiful. I feel a little of that beauty when I know I'm effectively guiding Oliver or showing him love.
• Getting eye contact from Oliver. Occasionally, he will smile, tilt his head, and gaze into my eyes for several seconds. I drop everything and feel like I must have wings.
• Wearing lipstick. I went years without caring for lipstick, but now, I'm enjoying it, especially if it sparkles. I've even started using lip liner! I like having some control over the face I show each day.
• Wearing eye makeup. I like my green eyes, and I like framing them. It's a way to play and express myself.
• Good leave-in conditioner. My hair is naturally unruly and tangled. But if it's trimmed and shiny and dark, I feel like Snow White.
• Embracing my skin. I'm quite pale, but I enjoy the contrast with my hair.
• Complimenting others. When I notice and comment on others' appearance, for some reason, I feel pretty too.