I have something I really want to discuss with you all today.

Recently on Mondays I have made the decision to not wear makeup. Big shock I know aha. I had no problem with it until someone made me question my decision by making a statement about how I look without makeup.

 I do not have the perfect skin. I have blemishes, wrinkles, discoloration and more, but I am proud of the skin I am in. I have never had a problem with how I looked, but it is so funny how one sentence can change all of that.

"Whoa what happened to your face?!"

What happened? What happened?! What happened is I wanted to sleep in an extra hour before having to sit at my cubical for 8 hours! What happened is I didn't feel like putting makeup on! What happened is I chose to give me skin a break from wearing makeup for one day!!!  All reasonable answers had I said it calmly.

But all I did was sit in shock. I had no words. All I could do was sit there at stare.

From that question on my day was a blur all I could do was wonder how horrid I must look. Every time I passed the mirror in the restroom or glass in the hall I would turn away too afraid.  Too afraid to look at my reflection. 

This haunted me for days. So everyday I put makeup on and kept my head down. Ashamed of how I presented myself that Monday. 

That coming Monday I wore makeup still afraid. My mood, my attitude, everything about me was different. People noticed. I was approached by a friend and co-worker who said "What happened to my beautiful bubbly friend?" That question so simple yet so hard.

I told her what happened the previous Monday with what was said by a co-worker. She stared at me. First with shock and then with awe. She blinked at me and finally said "So what." After that it was my turn to stare. What did she mean by 'so what'!? She broke my stare by saying:

 "His opinion does not matter." 

That right there... Those words... TRUTH.

His opinion does not matter. HIS OPINION DOES NOT MATTER!

From that moment on I did not wear makeup on Mondays. Regardless of the looks I got from a couple girls in the team down the hall. Regardless of my rude co-worker I wore a bare face on Mondays.

I told you this story so that you know we all have our moments of insecurities. Me especially. 

Never be afraid to wear something, do something, or be who you want to be just because of someone else's opinion. Do not let people bring you down. Do not let their opinions stop you from being yourself.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

XOXO, 

              LaniiRobb