The Catch-22 of Makeup

A photo of Alexis not wearing any makeup
A rare photo of the author without makeup

Last Sunday, I did something highly unusual for me.  I treated myself to some spa time, took a boat out on the lake with my family, swam a little, and went out to dinner.  The unusual part was that I did all of this while wearing no makeup.  Though I haven’t really kept track, it’s possible that last Sunday was my first makeup-free day in nearly 20 years.  (Ok, there may have been one or two days after I gave birth, but they were days on which I didn’t leave my house.)

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Ask Alexis: How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem?

Charcoal portrait sketch of a young woman
Erika, 2004.

Caroline wrote to me with the following question:

I struggle with my self-confidence. Do you have any suggestions for building self-esteem? I love your confidence. Do you remember any lessons your parents taught you that helped your self-esteem/confidence?

Thanks for the question, Caroline!  First, let me say this:  You have just as much right to be on this planet as everyone else.  You are a unique, worthy person who has many gifts to give: gifts of perspective, kindness, creativity, and more.  We are all works in process, learning and growing as we move through life.  Though it may at times seem like others have everything figured out while you’re still struggling to feel comfortable in your own skin, rest assured that everyone has moments of self-doubt.

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