When it comes to most fragrances, I tend to go for a more powdery scent. One of my all time favorites is Love by Chloé, partly because of its mellifluous name, but mostly for its soft yet punctual aroma.

I always make certain the perfume I’m wearing fits my personality. For instance, I spray my neck once with L’Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons for sacred days that only consist of myself, my camera and an abundance of colorful food for my food styling affairs. If I’m feeling extra feisty, I’ll practically bathe in my bottle of Lolita Lempicka, using the heady fragrance as a warning towards fellow primates about my temporary disposition.

Through evolution, humans have used their sense of smell for a means of survival. This type of sensation forms a rippling effect on the way we perceive future sensations. For example, I know exactly how sweaty my brother looks after completing his usual 14 mile bike ride and I am a bit too familiar with how awful he smells afterwards, therefore I choose to avoid him at all costs for a day at the minimum. This scarring perception has caused me to hold my breath whenever I walk by someone wearing bike gear—I’ll take the risk of suffocation.

Long story short, the way you smell has the ability to impact your relationships and self-esteem in both positive and negative ways. Two days ago I learned of a perfume that is able to mask even the most pungent fragrances of all, including my brother’s nauseating BO (body odor). This perfume is so secretive that the black market isn’t even aware of its existence. I call it Le Produit Anti-Complement Eau de Parfum, also known as Compliment Repellent in its less elegant form. This perfume company refuses to add label warnings about its long-term effects: loss of friendships, decrease in self-worth, feelings of emptiness, and possible psychotic episodes from lack of social interaction.

Here I was, two days ago, thinking I was doing everything in my power to present myself as a confident and put together young woman with hopes of making myself and others feel uplifted and comfortable. I realize now that my perception was flawed because I was inadvertently spraying myself with Compliment Repellent each time someone praised me with a flattering remark; then I wondered why people stopped complimenting me.

We all do this. We hear nice words being sent our way but immediately dismiss them because there is no way in hell someone actual believes we look good in Scooby Doo pajamas and oversized hoodies.

We hear things like "Chloe can’t possibly be a gifted photographer."

People complimenting me must have some type of hidden agenda! These recurring anxious thoughts can take control over your ability to love what you see in the mirror, and they won’t be going anywhere until you interrupt the thought. That’s what my mom always tells me when I’m in my head for too long.

“Interrupt the thought, Chloe.”

“The brain mentally can’t think two things at once.”

And she’s right. Interrupt the thought. Keep telling yourself that you are worthy. Convince yourself that you are enough by repeating this over and over again until you believe what you're saying. If you have to change a few things in your life in order to believe it, then make the changes. Start accepting those compliments because they are rightfully yours! Why? Because you still wake up every morning to a new day that can be made into anything you desire.

So go out and tackle today. Find someone smiling and tell them you admire their positivity. Tell your dog he's looking extra cute this morning!

And remember.

Nothing smells sweeter than a gourmand fragrance with an extra spritz of confidence.