Living with an impaired eyesight can be interesting sometimes. You’ll see people glamourizing your condition by wearing glasses purely for fashion purposes, or uncomfortable colored contacts just to make their eyes pop. Other times, you’ll encounter teasing remarks regarding your glasses, calling you “four eyes” or “nerdy.”
Adults can usually brush off the teasing, but children are a whole different case. Being called out for their weaknesses, which is how some kids see their visual impairment, can affect their self-confidence and self-esteem, a burden they may carry until adulthood. Though they may outgrow the embarrassment from the teasing, they may not heal as fast from their socializing traumas.
Thankfully, it’s never too late to love yourself again and conquer your insecurities. Below are the empowering habits you should practice to become the best version of yourself:
1. Responding to the Teases with Facts
If anyone calls you names or asks you uneducated questions about your eyesight, you don’t have to helplessly take the jabs and let the others get away from it. Instead, give them factual answers to subtly educate them about your condition. That way, you’re sending the message that you’re just as normal as everybody else, which will help break the stigma towards visual impairment.
So if somebody asks you “Why can’t you see that?” or “What’s wrong with your eyes?”, tell them that you can’t see well because you have a visual impairment, but if you give a text or a picture a closer look, you’ll be able to see it clearly. Giving factual and informative answers like this will also help you become more prepared for challenging situations, and boost your self-esteem.
2. Wearing Your Eyewear Proudly — and Stylishly
Real bespectacled people can be stylish too, not just the ones who glamourize visual problems. Innovative aids for the visually impaired, such as smart glasses that are usually bulky or unappealing in appearance, have models that look good or less prominent too, so consider them if they’d make you more confident in public.
Just ensure that you’re wearing the eyeglasses, contact lenses, or any other aid that’s suitable for your personality, activities, or career. If you want to look more mature and professional, classic-shaped glasses (oval, rectangle, or almond) in traditional colors (gold, silver, grey, or black) will look best on you. Plastic frames, as long as they aren’t in bright colors, are a good choice too if you’re also the sporty or active type.
Don’t hesitate to accentuate your eyewear, too. Try out trendy styles like vintage or retro frames. Draw attention to them by toning down the rest of your outfit and accessories; wear stud earrings, jewelry that matches the color of your eyewear, dressy clothes, and simple shoes. Or wear whatever you like that will make your eyewear look like it’s part of your clothing. That way, people will notice you for looking so chic, not for having visual problems.
3. Learning How to Wear Makeup
There’s a common misconception that blind women do not care what they look like, so they don’t bother learning how to put makeup on. Other people may also believe that the blind cannot wear makeup at all. But these notions are being challenged by a few notable blind and visually impaired influencers, such as Molly Burke and Lucy Edwards.
Hence, follow the examples of these empowered women by showing off your makeup skills as well. If your glasses ruin your foundation, wear a lighter amount, and set it with a matte finishing powder, especially on the nose bridge where the glasses usually slip or make dents. Groom your brows too, making sure that they won’t overwhelm your eye area, and that they’ll complement the frame of your glasses.
Experiment with eye makeup but try to gain mastery of the classic smokey eye, because it pairs well with glasses. Match the thickness of your eyeliner to the thickness of your frame, and your eyes will pop gorgeously.
These acts may be simple, but they’ll significantly build up your self-confidence and self-esteem. Superficial things, after all, contribute to our well-being too, so don’t underestimate their power.