Written by Karen D. Swim
How to Look Good Naked is a television program which first aired on British TV and now has a USA version. The premise of the show is helping ordinary women to rebuild their self-esteem through a series of confidence boosting exercises culminating in a nude photo. The lesson of every show is learn to love your body “as is” and then add the proper garments to flatter it.
I caught the show at a gym and it helped pass the time on the dreadmill (I hate indoor runs!). In spite of the cotton candy pop psychology, and corny tiara chirpiness, I found myself smiling as I picked up a lesson or two about “dressing for success.” As I stole a peek at my own sweaty silhouette (and wondered if my sweats made me look fat), I began to see the parallels to writing. Whether writing articles, novels or marketing messages we can all benefit from learning how to first look good naked.
- Start with a solid foundation. On the TV show, all women get an attitude makeover before they begin shopping for a single garment. For the writer the foundation begins with listening. You must attune your eyes, ears, and mind to hear the words and the silences between them. When you listen with all of your senses and without imposing your own prejudgment you will really hear the your characters, your story, your muse or your target audience.
- Add the right first layer. With the body the initial layer makes a huge difference in how clothes look and fit. Your idea must also be outfitted with a good structure. Before you wrap it in artsy covers, graphics or glossy brochures, your writing must stand on the strength of the words. Your message/story must be able to stand in just their skivvies and still look good.
- Don’t hide out in a muu muu. It is tempting to hide flaws and imperfections under bulky outer layers. However, rather than hiding the muu muu only brings attention to the most unwanted areas. You cannot cover a flawed idea, or message in layers of words. It adds unnecessary girth and makes your structure look unattractive.
- Work what you have! You may not be the writer you desire to be today. Rather than wringing your hands in angst or comparing yourself to others, work what you have today. Play up your strengths (yes you have them!) as you work on areas that need improvement.
- You are your worse critic. We are often so much harder on ourselves than others will ever be. We distort the truth with our own feelings of inadequacy. You will not churn out a masterpiece every time you sit down to write but you also will not suck every time.
- How to Look Good Naked reinforces that every woman regardless of shape or size can learn to put her best self forward. Women are transformed from frumpy to fabulous without diets, exercise, or surgery. With just a few tweaks, you can have the same results with your writing.
What are your tips for looking good naked?
Great post, thanks! It is something to think about
“a bit of a distant concept”
I love the way Joanna writes. Always have.
And now I have to watch an episode of that show. You are the maker of mischief, Karen.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..2 Words
Your article title sure caught my eye. You pointed out that we are our worst critic. I can’t agree more!
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Maps last blog post..Confess Your Secrets
Karen, caftan makes sense to me, thank you! No, I’ve not watched the show. The thought of looking good naked is a bit of a distant concept for me!
Joanna
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Quotes on Writing and Freedom #4: The Freedom To Choose Your Intention
Janice, LOL! Flat on my back and knowing me a button would be undone or a zipper unzipped or I would have a smudge of soy peanut butter on my chin. LOL!
Joanna, LOL! A muu muu is a big shapeless dress. It has no waist band, is not belted and is not flattering to any figure. I think it is sometimes called a caftan as well. Sometimes the overweight believe that hiding under the massive fabric will somehow not show their imperfections but the muu muu only adds weight. I can think of nothing it is good for…housework maybe…
Thank you so much for the comments. Have you seen the British version of the show?
Karen, what a fascinating analogy! Lots of great lessons here for writing and for life. But what’s a muu muu?
Joanna
Joanna Youngs last blog post..3000 Comments and Counting
So if they ask you to kick off for Da bears..we can pretty much play that scenario out with you landing on your back looking at the sky?
But you could write the hell out of the play by play…. 🙂
Janice Cartiers last blog post..2 Words
Janice, I KNOW those people! LOL! Personally, I don’t like it and am such a goof I couldn’t pull it off anyway. I am more likely to trip on a rug, or run into a door so it’s so much easier embracing my authenticity. LOL! Uh, yeah, not kidding did those things this week. Welcome to my life. I swear I am related to Charlie Brown!
LOL I know I know. Love his work.
A friend of mine has this expression about people. The ability to be “casual”. It has a lot to do with confidence and comfort. You’ve met those people who always seem to be “on”. Forced. Like a performance. They have no ability to be casual.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..2 Words
Ellen, LOL! Work it girlfriend! I love what you said about unwrapping yourself. This is so true. As we move through the decades that process changes as we become even more comfortable with each layer.
Janice, I know what you mean, confident people have a certain glow, they’re not cocky but they’re comfortable with who they are, flaws and all and it kind of rubs off on you. Lemony Snicket, hehehehehe! He is quite fun! 🙂
This is too true! LOL.
I have to say that my favorite people are generally ones who are comfortable in their own skin… or sometimes in their clever alter egos. Just look at Lemony Snicket. What fun he is. 🙂
But Hemingway always said he tried to right one true thing and then another. I’m all for that, as long as it comes in my color…
…meaning, it has to belong to us.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Small Steps and Beginnings
Karen,
I look good naked. Especially in go go boots.
That’s my solid foundation.
I think that I am still unwrapping myself. I really don’t want to put on rose colored glasses. So it’s best to be honest and get down to the nitty gritty. Which is what writing and nakedness is all about.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Writing the Wild Within: Part 5 – Why Fly when You can Soar?
Steph, thank you! It’s funny inspiration and life lessons are everywhere. I need this advice often too. I am glad that we could help one another.
Heather!!! I adore you! *blushing* I am so lucky to have you as a friend. You are the one who truly ROCKS! 🙂
Karen, you are ALWAYS so inspiring! I just love YOUR uplifting words. Excellent advice from the true pro that YOU are.
I thank you and applaud YOU all in one breath. YOU rock!
Heather
Karen: excellent post! I love the parallel you created.
Thank you. I need to read things like this often regarding writing. And I really like how they made changing your attitude the first and most important thing. It makes total sense.
Stephs last blog post..Stumbling Toward Fantasy (and self-confidence)
Barbara, I like that attitude! I notice people who walk into a room with confidence. They may not have the “perfect” body but they own their space by being comfortable in their own skin. Joanna Young teaches people to have that same confidence in writing and it has that same impact.
Friar, it was interesting to watch the transformation on the show. As you said, when you give up because you don’t fit the “ideal” it shows on the outside and you look worse! On the show the women looked completely different at the end simply because they felt better about themselves and dressed better. You don’t have to be a male or female model to be attractive and you don’t have to be Hemingway or Shakespeare to be a great writer. Thank goodness on both counts or I would be in serious trouble! 🙂
@Karen
I’ve seen some…er…”large” women who basically have given up. They cut their hair short, wear crummy clothes, and basically look like dudes. There’s zero physical attraction.
But some other women I’ve seen (equally sized, 200 lbs plus) know how to dress and present themselves, and they look pretty darned good! They have that certain feminine charm.
I guess the moral of the story is don’t sell yourself short…use what you have to your advantage and learn how to market yourself (whether it’s writing or your body shape).
PS. In case anyone accuses me of being biased against fat people..well, I sympathize! I’m not exactly Mr. Six-Pack Abs myself…:-)
Friars last blog post..My Dog Basil is So Special
Ooooo good topic!
My best tip is to realize, I might not be (figuratively) 5’10”, 115 pounds and a size 36D, but my personality/quality stands out from the thundering herd!
I *define* “the next level”. 🙂 Having super self-confidence really does free you to write out of this world. It’s all a matter of how you choose to view your own reality.
Enjoy, Barbara