Little Things That Make You Feel Beautiful - Guest Post

Jackie contacted me and asked if I would be willing to have her guest blog on Polish, and I was delighted! Please read the below - and remember that regardless of what illness you have, you are a beautiful woman (or man) and nothing can rob you fully of that. N*

Little Things That Make You Feel Beautiful

By: Jackie Clark

Women have a keen understanding of how important the little things are. Cute underwear, a pair of jeans that fit just right, a new hairstyle—details like these are small ways that we boost our confidence and remind ourselves that we are women and we are beautiful; but there come times when life slaps us with something unanticipated—mesothelioma from years of asbestos exposure or some unlucky genetic twist of fate that finds us standing at a loss in front of a doctor discussing treatment options and a prognosis for surviving cancer.

It’s easy, in times like these, to feel like those little things are petty in light of life and death, but the truth is that it’s in those moments that the little things mean even more. A beautiful headscarf, a dash of red lipstick, a pair of dangling earrings—these are ways to remind ourselves and everyone else that we are women, we are beautiful, and we are not our cancer.

When you’re going through treatment there for cancer, it's easy to be discouraged because there are a lot of things you enjoy doing that you just can’t do. Food loses its flavor, you lose your energy and your hair, and you’re sometimes bound to your bed. It's true, cancer might change the way you look and feel for a time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to feel beautiful in your own skin. In fact it's more important now than ever!

One wonderful way to bond with your friends, relax, and feel pretty is to have yourself a little stay at home/hospital spa night. A gentle hand massage and a mani/pedi can do wonders for a girl’s heart and getting your nails done with a girlfriend is a fun, normal thing you can enjoy in the midst of the upside down world that cancer has made of your life. 

 There is nothing more feminine and lovely than a perfect French manicure or a bold set of bright red nails and it's a perfect activity for when you're sick-- it doesn’t require much energy on your part, doesn’t interfere with your treatment program and you can choose from a variety of fun colors, patterns and artsy details.

 

Cancer can rob you of a great many things—but not every thing. No matter your situation or your prognosis, there are simple ways to remind yourself of the reality that you are a beautiful, strong woman and you deserve to feel like one! The little things matter, nail polish matters. So get yourself some polish and flaunt those sexy hands!