How My Scar Has Changed How I Define Beauty | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How My Scar Has Changed How I Define Beauty

Love your scars, love yourself.

561
How My Scar Has Changed How I Define Beauty

Whenever I look in the mirror, I see my scar. The eight-inch scar covers my back just under my left shoulder. This scar is the result of a congenital heart defect called Coarctation of the aorta, and it is from the heart surgery that I had to repair it.

This scar represents so much of my life. If it wasn’t for this scar, I would not have been able to lead a normal life with a fully functioning heart without any complications. But this scar has also been a large part of accepting myself. Although my scar is not fully visible unless you are looking at my back, I used to be embarrassed by it and covered it up by avoiding revealing clothing that had an open back to keep it out of sight. It was not until I got older when I learned to love my scar because no one really notices it except me.

Scars are beautiful. But often times, they are regarded as a flaw. Society portrays skin as being soft and smooth, but a scar is the exact opposite as it is jagged and rigid, making the surrounding skin anything but soft and smooth. Because of this, it is easy to hate your scar. Whether it is a surgery scar, an acne scar, or a scar from an injury, these marks are reminders of the past that have been left on your skin.

Your scar makes you unique. Instead of hating your scar and trying to cover it up, you should embrace it. It tells a story of what once was, and is a memory of who you used to be. This story can be told to others who ask about your scar. Accepting your scar allows you to recognize it as a part of who you are rather than a part of you that you would like to forget and cover up.

A scar also shows that you are stronger than whatever tried to break you. You were able to survive something because of this scar, and you should be grateful for that. For me, my surgery scar is a reminder that I was able to survive a birth defect that could have been fatal if not properly repaired.

My scar has also changed the way I view beauty. To me, a scar is beautiful because it is like art on the body that is different than just a blank canvas of soft and smooth skin. A scar is more than just a demarcation on the skin. Instead, it represents so much more. Scars are a symbol for courage, strength, and love as these are the virtues that the owner of the scar must possess in order to accept their scar.

Having a scar allows you to be different from everyone else, as it shows just how powerful imperfections can be. Since a scar is imperfect and does not conform to the ideals of society where the skin is soft and smooth, your ideals of beauty change to include your scar. So love yourself and your scar, because it is beautiful and not something that you should cover and be embarrassed about.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Honorary Roommate
Rachel Zadeits

For some of us, coming to college was the first time we ever had to share a room. It was a big change, but a fun one. As you meet more and more people over the course of your college career, it seems to be a pattern that you will at some point have that one friend that doesn't live with you, but acts like they do. We call those people, "Honorary Roommates" and here are 11 signs you have one in your life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why It's Awesome When Your Best Friend Gets New Friends

She may not be with you 24/7 but it's all good because you're soul sisters.

858
super friends
Gabi Morales

We all have a person, and when that person makes some new friends, we tend to forget all the great things that can come out of it. Never forget how special they are to you and why you are best friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
mountains

If you're like me, then the last semester kicked your butt, big time. Lots of papers, projects, and overall chaos. While some things are beyond our control, there are some things you can do to make this semester one of your best ones yet!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

8 Cringey College Tinder Stories

. Cringey Tinder stories from some Tinder girls

2820
a man and a woman sitting at a table
Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

Toilet Troubles

"So, usually I would never go on a Tinder date but when you are out with girlfriends and a hot Bosnian guy says he wants to hang with you and his friends, you oblige. We head to their apartment and when I realized I may pee my pants if I don't find a bathroom soon. I ask for the bathroom and a friend of my tinder date shows me to it and said in all seriousness that I was not allowed to flush the toilet under ANY circumstances. Having a few drinks--or five--I relieved myself to, nevertheless, flush the toilet. Within seconds, his bathroom was flooded and towels were laid out everywhere to catch the toilet water. To say the least, we were not invited back"

Keep Reading...Show less
Girl with a Guy Bestfriend
vignette3

I can confidently say that about 90 percent of all the friends I have are male. It's just always been that way since I was a kid. Over the years, I've heard a lot of things and I've learned a lot of things, and here it all is. Enjoy!

If you're a girl with a guy best friend you know that...

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments