Boosting Self-Confidence with Bell's Palsy: Tips and Tricks

Boosting Self-Confidence with Bell's Palsy: Tips and Tricks

This paralyzing condition easily makes people self-concious and scared to show their face. BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There are others going through the same thing as you and there are multiple tips and tricks that can help boost your self-confidence.

Being a 17 year old girl who woke up one mornig with half of her face paralyzed was not fun. I did not want to show my face in public as there was something visibly wrong. As someone who loves to smile and laugh whenever I get the chance, the Bell's Palsy was easily seen throughout my peers and friends. It was quite difficult to cope with, after all we do live in a society where our image is constantly critiqued and looked at. I avoided mirrors at all costs to try and escape the constant reminder. Whenever i told someone about my condition as a reason as to why my face is paralyzed, they would say "my grandma/grandpa has that". No one told me "oh my friend has it too". I didn't have anyone to talk to or realte to in the moment. So I decided to take it online to try and create a community. Yes, I cried a lot. Yes, I wanted to hide in my room until it was gone. Except there was no telling how long it was going to stay, so I had to find ways to boost my self-confidence.

1. Embrace your journey: Bell's Palsy does not define you. It isn't your whole life, only a part of your life. You are so much more then a short period of time where your face is paralyzed. It isn't in your control. Nothing about you in the inside has changed! 2. Surround yourself with support: Find others to support you through this process. This can be your friends that support you, or finding an online community, like Bell's Beacon, to be with you. Connecting with people who understand what you are going through on a personal level is important. It makes you feel less like an outlyer. Having a community going through shared expirences is comforting. It also gives you the opportunity to feel less alone and learn from others by sharing their stories.

3. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential for boosting self-confidence. Engage in activities that make you feel good, such as exercising, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in hobbies you enjoy. Prioritize self-care and make it a part of your daily routine.

Self-care is key for boosting your self-confidence. Feeling good is the best way to make yourself happy. This could be doing activities that you enjoy like going to the beach or having your favorite meal for dinner. Taking part in activties that you enjoy only maked you happier. Don't add extra stress.

4. Accentuate your strengths: Acknowledge your strengths and make sure to emphasize them. This tags along to feeling good and self-care. Celebrate what you are good at and highlight your strengths that make you uniqley you . This could be humor, a special skill, or your creativity.

5. Experiment with makeup: If you are not comfortable yet to go out in public, makeup can be your best-friend. There are various ways that you can create allusions with contour and shading to make something look like its not. There are toutrials on youtube and online that you can learn from. But remember, you don't need makeup to be beautiful! 6. Dress to impress: Dressing in your own style and being comfortable is key to feeling confident. Making sure that you wear clothes that YOU feel good in is important in making you feel happy in your own skin. 7. Focus on inner beauty: Remember that your identity and beuty is all about the inside. Facial paralysis doesn't affect you from the inside. You are still yourself! Nothing about you has changed personality wise. 8. Seek professional help: If you're struggling with self-confidence, consider seeking professional help. Therapists or counselors can provide guidance and support to help you navigate the emotional challenges associated with Bell's Palsy. Remember, Bell's Palsy does not define you. I benefited alot from surroudnig myself with a community who understands my struggles. By taking part in self-care and dressing in clothes that I am comfortable in helped boost my self-confidence. You are still YOU!