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Focus on the essentials, not the non-essentials
But don’t equate taking care of your external appearance as more valuable than your internal appearance.
If people only care for the superficial parts of their appearance, they’re not engaging in genuine self-care.
They’re engaging in something called faux self-care.
It’s essential to keep your hair, nails, fashion, or any outer factor you value all in good taste, but there are other factors more important, such as:
Your diet.
Your water intake.
Your alcohol consumption.
Regular visits to the doctor.
Your physical activity regime.
Some people think it’s okay to dress the part but not feel the part or internally look the part.
People of color – especially black individuals -frequently struggle with investing too much effort, resources, and time in their outer appearance (excluding their physical bodies).
It negatively affects their economic status and, more importantly, their health.
The sooner you become active in your health, the more likely you will increase your chances of eliminating unnecessary ailments that tend to run rampant in our communities (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc.).
There are two types of people:
Person A:
This person gets their hair and nails done and wears fashionable stuff.
However, this person does not care for their body. She consumes whatever food she’s in the mood to eat.
She does not go to the doctor regularly. She is overweight, and she does not work out. She engages in little to no physical activity.
Furthermore, this person believes they are taking care of herself because she invests in her superficial appearance.
But she’s not taking care of herself in a way that will increase her longevity or help her experience a more enjoyable life.
The healthier and stronger you are, the more life you can experience.
Person B:
This person takes care of the superficial stuff.
But more importantly, they consistently engage in physical activity, live an active lifestyle, and aim to eat a healthy diet.
They conduct their regular doctor’s visits to monitor their health actively.
My Experience
I did not invest much in superficial appearances when I had fewer resources.
Instead of improving my superficial appearance, I invested my time in working out and eating a healthy diet.
I’m not discounting what good fashion, hair, and other factors can do for your confidence.
However, I know at the end of the day, a fresh new pair of kicks or clothes won’t do much for me in the long-term versus caring for my health.
But now that I have more resources, I can take a more balanced approach to my entire external and internal appearance.
Time Reveals All
What you value will eventually show.
Some of my friends used to appear healthier and were slimmer because they could get away with not engaging in a healthier lifestyle. Now that they’re older, their long-term habits are revealing themselves.
You can have everything looking great, but no superficial investment can hide the facts if you’re not eating right, exercising, and taking care of your body.
Take better care of yourself, not just the non-essentials.
Some Black Women Will Have Their Whole Look Together, But Be Overweight
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.