In the world of beauty pageants, where the competition is fierce and the standards are high, one might expect to find a few life lessons that could be applied to other areas of life. As a former beauty pageant queen, I can attest to the fact that the lessons learned on the pageant stage can indeed be applied to the dating scene and beyond. Here are seven lessons that I've carried with me long after the crown came off:
It's about the total package: In the pageant world, the most beautiful girl doesn't always win. It's the woman who is best all-around, with grace, great speaking ability, style, talent, beauty, and personality, who takes home the crown. The same is true in the dating world. A man is more likely to be attracted to a woman who is well-rounded and has a variety of qualities, rather than just physical beauty. Personally, I think this lesson is crucial in finding a partner who will appreciate and support you for who you are, rather than just your looks.
Win the interview, win the pageant: The interview is a crucial part of the pageant competition, and it's no different in the dating world. If you win a guy over with your personality, he's more likely to fall in love with everything else you have to offer. However, it's important to be aware of the dark horse, or the unsuspected competition, who might be a female's best friend or someone you might never have thought was even his type. From my perspective, this lesson is fascinating because it highlights the importance of being yourself and letting your personality shine, rather than trying to impress someone with a false image.
It never hurts to be Miss Congeniality: While there's no Miss Congeniality Award in real life, being nice and choosing your battles wisely can go a long way in relationships. In my experience, men tend to try to switch the situation around on you when things get messy, so it's important to handle arguments with grace and maturity. Relationship coach Linda Salazar explains that learning how to argue fruitfully can lead to emotional and spiritual insight, making it less likely that you'll repeat the fight. Personally, I think this lesson is essential in maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship.
Enhancements are your friend: Wigs, weaves, and fake eyelashes are all staples in the pageant world, and I'm here to tell you that they're fine in the dating world, too. While you'll eventually get to a place where he'll expect to see you au naturale, there's nothing wrong with adding extensions, padded bras, wearing Spanx, and sprucing yourself up a bit for a first impression. Just a word of advice: don't use packaging tape to hold down your tummy if you're on an actual date or use the infamous 'butt glue' designed to keep your swimsuit in place at an actual beach. These things are strictly for special events when you'll be going home alone.
Confidence is clutch: Not even the most beautiful of beauty queens is always perfect, but they shine the most when they feel confident. Confidence is what allows a woman to hold out for someone who actually meets her where she's currently at. Marriage and family therapist William Meleney notes that the wise, confident beauty will let her suspicions take the lead while still figuring out if the guy she's into will be an exception. In my opinion, this lesson is crucial in finding a partner who will respect and value you for who you are, rather than just your looks.
When in doubt, glitz it out: Worried about what to wear on a date? In the pageant world, being a little overdressed is always better than being underdressed. This lesson is particularly fascinating because it highlights the importance of making a good first impression, and it's a lesson that I've applied in various areas of my life, not just dating.
Above all, be a good sport: No one likes a sore loser, whether they've been passed up for a crown or a man. The way we handle rejection often says more about our self-worth than about the person who walked away. Life coach Caroline Maguire explains that the fear of rejection is hard-wired into us, and it's important to not let that sting define how we see ourselves or how we show up next time. Personally, I think this lesson is crucial in maintaining a healthy self-image and a positive outlook on life.
In conclusion, the lessons learned in the world of beauty pageants can indeed be applied to other areas of life, including dating. By embracing these lessons, we can find success and happiness in various aspects of our lives, and perhaps even find love along the way.
