Obsessed with Your Looks? A Psychologist’s Guide to Breaking the Cycle

For centuries, it’s been normal for people to take care of their physical appearance just to be more confident and likeable in the society. However, the modern world has put way too much focus on how we look, with many people now struggling to accept their imperfections and becoming obsessed with looking for something else to improve.

In a situation like this, life will definitely become more difficult, but psychologists have already come up with a set of the most frequent signs and solutions for each of them.

You Always Compare Yourself to Others

Mostly, it’s the social media to blame for this, since it has turned into some kind of beauty competition with all those influencers appearing to be perfect people in their accounts.

Comparison to other people will only make things worse and form a false self-image, so make sure you unfollow all those accounts that create perfect life propaganda, turning to those that show real life instead. Also, remember that it’s only you in the past that the current you should compare yourself to.

You Can’t Leave the House Without Full Glam Look

If you feel like it’s inappropriate to go shopping or just do something outside without the best makeup and clothing, it may signal your inner fear of the real you being seen in public.

To get rid of this, you have to realize that there’s nothing bad in looking natural and you shouldn’t be judged for choosing your own comfort over other people’s expectations. Start little by little, putting less makeup or opting for ordinary clothes when going out.

You See Your Appearance as Your Main Value

Many people tend to think they aren’t worthy of love and respect if they don’t look good, which is a clear sign of low self-esteem. If you feel like you’ve had similar thoughts, try making a list of your achievements that don’t have to do anything with your physical appearance.

Also, turn your negative thoughts into positive ones and don’t forget to remind yourself: your value isn’t your appearance but your character.

You Feel Anxious When You Have No Time For Preparations

If something related to your physical look goes wrong — whether it’s a gym training you skipped or a haircut you don’t like — it will likely severely affect your self-esteem and inner emotional state. In cases like this, psychologists suggest you keep a diary that will help you analyze your feelings and reactions to events like this.

Another possible solution is to limit your surrounding to people who see and understand your personality, thus showing that it’s your main value.