Lately, I’ve been sensing a trend that has hit the internet: Women do things because society tells them to. There have been so many articles lately about why women do certain things for their appearance: mostly shaving, but also makeup, sexy outfits and exercising. Supposedly, everything we as women do is for the purpose of pleasing society and, namely, men. Now, I’m not going to go on a feminist rant, I promise. I simply want to point out that women do things to their appearance for themselves.

Yes, sometimes I get all dolled up to go out with the thought that I might impress that cute guy at the other end of the bar, but that is not always the case. On a day-to-day basis, I complete my morning routine with foundation, eyeliner, mascara and a little color on my lips because it makes me feel good about myself. With that little bit of makeup on my face, I can go to class or work confident in myself, feeling more empowered and professional. I generally am just more productive when I put on nicer jeans and something other than a t-shirt with a little bit of makeup. I feel more prepared to go out and accomplish my to-do list when I’m dressed for success rather than in yogas and a t-shirt.

Could this be because society long ago decided this was what women were supposed to do to be successful? Maybe. But that’s not the point I’m trying to make. This topic is about more than just the fact that nice clothes and makeup are supposed to be for society--we're discussing my own body. I, like most people (men and women), am insecure about my body but not because I feel like I have to be like those physically impossible models in a magazine. I’m not going to lie--I have looked at those pictures and wished I was like them, but then I come back to reality and I know that, a) most (not all) of those images are Photoshopped, and b) that is not my God-given body style and is therefore unattainable for my body type.

If I decide that I want to make a lifestyle change by eating healthy, exercising regularly and wanting to lose weight, that doesn’t mean I feel like I have to in order to impress the world around me--I do it to impress myself. I say that I want to lose weight because I want to feel and be healthier. Yes, I want to look good in a bikini, but it is because I want to show off the hard work I put into myself for myself. I want to care about my body and treat it with respect, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love sweets. My life does not revolve around my weight because I haven’t stopped eating the foods that I love. I’ve modified the amount and started to become better with portion control. I do all of this for me, not you.

So, there are days that I get dressed up to impress society, but I mostly want to impress myself. I want to spend my day feeling and looking confident in myself so I can be the best me I can be. I’m sorry, society, if I have offended you in any way, but I’m going to wear clothing that makes me feel good about myself, makeup that lifts my confidence and workout to become healthier, all for me.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to impress society, but don’t forget to impress yourself as well.

**Men, the same applies for you. Do not do something because magazines tell you that you need to be “buff” and “manly,” do something because you want to feel good about yourself for you.