“Chubby cheeks.” Baby-faced, chipmunk cheeks, whatever you call them, they can be a source of self-consciousness, especially as you get older. For years, I felt like mine made me look “childish,” “unprofessional,” “not-quite-grown-up.” I tried contouring, angled my selfies strategically, and secretly wished for sharper cheekbones. Then, I realized something. People actually…liked my chubby cheeks.
They said they made me look “friendly,” “approachable,” “youthful.” They said they were “cute,” “sweet,” “charming.” It was unexpected and, honestly, a little baffling at first. But the compliments kept coming. And slowly, I started to see my chubby cheeks not as a flaw, but as…a feature.
This wasn’t about suddenly thinking they were “perfect cheekbones” (still working on that!). It was about recognizing that different cultures and different people find different things attractive. And that what I saw as a childish flaw, others saw as a charming characteristic. My “chubby cheeks” stopped being a source of insecurity and became, surprisingly, a source of charm. They became part of my unique look, a feature that people found endearing, and a reminder that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your “flaws” might just be your secret weapon of charm. Smile and let them shine.