The Prettiest Girl in the Room

The desire to feel attractive is deeply rooted in human nature, not just for women but for people in general. Beauty—whether in physical appearance, confidence, or personal style—often influences self-esteem, social interactions, and even cultural expectations.

For some, wanting to be "the prettiest person in the room" could stem from a desire for validation, admiration, or simply feeling their best. Others might express beauty as a form of self-care or artistic expression. Society and media also play a role in shaping beauty standards, encouraging certain ideals that people might aspire to but that not everyone can achieve.

The Contradiction

Society encourages self-love while simultaneously profiting from insecurities. From beauty products and cosmetic procedures to ever evolving fashion trends , many industries capitalize on the idea that people need to enhance or change their appearance to be their "best selves" and Americans buy into that message to the tune of 475 billion dollars per year.

The contradiction lies in the messaging: "You're perfect as you are, but also—buy this to look better." While self-improvement can be empowering, it becomes problematic when external pressures distort the definition of self-worth.

At its core, genuine self-love isn’t about fitting into someone else's idea of beauty—it's about embracing individuality, personal growth, and feeling comfortable in one's skin. The challenge is navigating a world that demands comparison while holding onto a mindset that values authenticity.

Changing the Narrative

Imagine a world where our bodies are invisible and our hearts, our minds, our thoughts are on full display. What if that was all we see when we gaze in the mirror?

Would we care what our bodies look like? The few extra pounds? The thin lips? The lines in our skin that tell stories about the smiles and laughter or the sadness and sorrow or the joy of bringing life into this world?

What if we didn't spend our money refreshing our closets constantly? What if we didn't work so hard and spend time away from our families and loved ones to buy the next cosmetic procedure or filler or all the things that make us feel worthy of others' admiration?

Imagine a world in which we spent our precious resources on something different? Like love and kindness. Compassion and creativity. Building peaceful communities and ensuring equality for all.

Maybe it is time for the current narrative to expire. Maybe our looks and the things we own

say nothing about our value as human beings. Maybe we've been lying to ourselves.

Just like a physician needs an Xray to confirm something is broken on the inside, maybe we should view each other and ourselves from the inside out. After all, that is where true beauty lives in all of us.

To read more blogs or reviews on Beka J. Perez' novel, 'Mixed', click the "Home" button below.

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