Winkmas

Tis’ the season for giving: giving Starbucks gift cards, Kate Spade bags, and onesie pajamas. More importantly, tis’ also the season for giving love, whether it be to your family members or those less fortunate. Either way, giving to others is part of the Holiday spirit. Thus, I hereby commence the first annual Winkme Christmas Challenge, otherwise known as Winkmas.

I think that too often, we, as a society, focus heavily on physical appearance. Instead of complimenting one another on our intelligence or work ethic when we are feeling down, we often attempt to brighten 0ne’s day by telling them that they look good. While this is important to do in a society that cripples girl’s self esteem from an early age, we are contributing this trend by associating one’s worth to their physical beauty. Instead, “we can compliment people based on actions and effort, not on their appearance”  -Meaghan Ramsey.

Thus, your challenge is this: during the final weeks leading up to Christmas, give the gift of a compliment. Write a positive comment to someone, boy or girl, on a piece of paper or a holiday card, and slip it to them during the day. The key is that this compliment can not pertain to physical appearance, but rather must shed a light on something positive they have done, or something amazing you have seen in them. Additionally, the card must encourage them to pass on a compliment to someone else. The goal is to give out at least five written compliments by December 25th, but the more the merrier. Share your experiences or compliments in the comment section below, or on social media with the hashtag #winkmas.

Christmas is a time for giving, so lets spread the love one wink at a time. For more information on the self-esteem of women today and society’s role in this self-deprecation, watch Meaghan Ramsey’s TED talk below.