Because I didn’t have a strong enough foundation of self-love towards my face and body, I was never satisfied. Progress could not come soon enough.

If thy right eye offend thee… schedule a doctor’s appointment. Or not.

By the time I graduated middle school, I’d already ditched the glasses for contact lenses and had seen my complexion clear slightly. (It’s taken me until college to get down to nearly-flawless skin, though I still wrestle with hormonal breakouts.) But my nose, that stupid nose that made me look foreign and witchy when I just wanted to look like Carey Mulligan and Rachel McAdams, stayed on. 

Infuriatingly (at the time), my mom was unfailingly supportive of my natural nose, telling me that it was “cute” and “gave my face character.” She also never failed to bring up an extended family member’s post-surgical transformation from natural beauty to Plain Jane, or Jennifer Grey’s career-ending nose job. 

Today, when I look back, I thank my mom for encouraging me to love my nose regardless of personal bias and social norms, and for helping me realize that nose surgery, the “easy fix,” wasn’t always as picturesque as I imagined it to be. 

(But, hey, if rhinoplasty worked for you, I’m not judging! #Youdoyou.)

Little welcome as it was, my nose never underwent cosmetic surgery. Rather than hack away at my face, I consciously chose to change my mindset and accept my nose — not as an unwelcome visitor, but as a part of me that, to this day, has defined me positively and uniquely.

I overcame my self-image doubts to embrace my nose. Here’s how you, too, can change your “hate” to a “love” (or at least a very strong like)*:

• Ask yourself why you hate this part of you so much. What kind of judgement are you making about yourself? How much of your perceived flaws come from a socially constructed standpoint? What might another person (your mom, your best friend, your S.O.) think about it? 
• Bonus: Imagine that a loved one is describing you right now. What would their POSITIVE statements be?
• Instead of focusing on your flaws at the mirror, say a self-love mantra like “I love myself and I love my body” or “My happiness radiates from me.” If you’re having trouble coming up with one on your own, check out this body-positive list from Greatist.
• Quiet your inner critic. Shut up that nagging voice in the back of your head and do something productive instead. 
• Find your body positive role model. Mine is Kate Winslet.
• Don’t keep it bottled up inside of you. Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend and see how small an issue they find it to be. (You’re the only one who’s obsessing!)
• Join an online support group for people with body image issues.

*Applies to any body part you’re unfairly ragging on, not just your nose!