The Mantra “If You Look Good, You Feel Good” – More Than Just a Saying

At the end of the day, “If you look good, you feel good” is all about self-love. It’s about taking a moment to honor yourself, your body, and your mind. It’s about realizing that you’re worthy of care and attention, even when life gets busy, even when you’re struggling. It doesn’t have to be about dressing to impress others—it’s about dressing to impress yourself.

Some days, looking good might mean a full outfit and some extra effort. Other days, it might mean putting on your coziest clothes and taking time for rest. Both are valid, and both are important. The key is tuning into what you need in that moment, and making choices that uplift you.

Self-love is one of those things we talk about all the time, but when you really sit with it, you realize how layered it is. It’s easy to say “love yourself,” but the real work comes in practicing it daily, especially when it’s hard. And trust me, I know it can be hard. There are days when you don’t feel like you’re enough, when self-doubt creeps in and tries to convince you that you’re not worth the effort. But that’s exactly when self-love is the most powerful. It’s not just for the good days when everything is going right—it’s for the tough days, the messy days, the days when you feel like you’re falling short.

For me, self-love starts with the small, quiet decisions we make every day. It’s in the way we talk to ourselves when no one else is listening. It’s in the way we prioritize our well-being, even when the world is pulling us in a hundred different directions. It’s recognizing that we don’t have to be perfect to be deserving of love. I’ve had to remind myself of that more times than I can count. There were moments when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or wasn’t good enough, and that’s where the practice of self-love came in—it’s about telling yourself that you’re worthy, no matter what.

And here’s the thing about self-love: it’s not selfish. A lot of people, including myself at times, think that taking time for yourself means you’re neglecting others or your responsibilities. But that’s a myth. In reality, the more love and care you give yourself, the more you have to give to the people and things that matter in your life. It’s like filling up your own cup first so you can pour into others. When you’re depleted, it’s harder to show up for the people you love, for your work, or for your passions.

I also think self-love is about grace. Giving yourself the grace to mess up, to not have all the answers, and to just be—without judgment. We’re all human, and that means we’re going to make mistakes. We’re going to have days when we don’t feel great, when we don’t look our best, and when our energy is low. But self-love reminds us that even on those days, we’re still enough. Even when we don’t feel like it, we’re still worthy of care and compassion.

I’ve had to learn that self-love isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s about doing the hard stuff—like setting boundaries, saying no when you need to, or taking time to rest when the world says you should be hustling. Sometimes self-love looks like choosing the harder path because you know it’s better for you in the long run. Other times, it’s allowing yourself to feel your emotions fully, without brushing them aside or pretending they don’t exist.

And then, there are the days when self-love is as simple as putting on an outfit that makes you feel unstoppable. It might sound surface-level, but when you take that time to dress in a way that makes you feel powerful or beautiful, it’s like telling yourself, “I see you. I care about you. I’m showing up for you today.” It’s a small act, but it can shift your whole mindset. You’re not just doing it to look good for others—you’re doing it to feel good for yourself. And that’s the key.

At the end of the day, self-love is a journey. It’s not something you master overnight, and it’s definitely not something that’s always easy. But it’s worth it. Every time you choose yourself, every time you make space for your own needs, you’re building a foundation of love and care that will support you through whatever life throws your way.

So, when you hear the phrase “If you look good, you feel good,” I want you to remember that it’s not just about appearances. It’s about the way you choose to honor yourself, every single day. It’s about the little rituals that remind you that you’re important, that you matter, and that you deserve to feel good—in your body, in your mind, and in your heart. Because at the end of the day, self-love is the greatest gift you can give yourself, and it’s one that keeps on giving.

And if you ever find yourself feeling down, like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, I encourage you to try something simple: put on your favorite outfit, take a few deep breaths, and remind yourself that you are worthy of feeling good. Because you are. Every single day.