It is only natural that we feel self-conscious about having vitiligo; after all, any deviation from the social norms in physical appearance attracts attention…and most times, it is unwanted. How many times have you taken a second glance at someone with tattoo’s covering their body? Or what about that person who has purple streaks in her/his hair? Granted, these are choices that the person made to express their individuality, but what about those who don’t; for instance, someone who is physically or mentally challenged?

I’ve given an extended glance to someone with a missing leg. I’ve even inadvertently stared at a ‘little person‘ as he walked past me in the mall. Why did they catch my attention? Was it because I thought less of them? No. Did I pity them? No. I looked because I was curious. With genuine concern, I wondered what the woman who had no left leg had gone through. How must she have felt when she first looked down and saw only one foot. I thought of the long hours she endured physical therapy to be able to walk with her new prosthetic leg. These thoughts may take only a few seconds to go through your mind, but if someone is looking at you for 15 seconds, it certainly can make you feel self-conscious. (Go ahead, sit still for just 10 seconds and see how time seems to drag.)

When I notice someone looking at my hands, I feel that they are staring at the vitiligo areas; judging me and/or thinking less of me. That’s my ego taking control of my thoughts and feelings.  Giving power to your ego is detrimental to your self-esteem and self-worth. In as much, you’re making an agreement with yourself that your value as a person is based solely upon your appearance and acceptance by others. No one really wants to live like that, so the trick is to take back your power…you will gain strength, and possibly, a whole new outlook on living with your vitiligo.

When I asked the question, “What do you do to feel better about having vitiligo?”, on the Vitiligo Singles site, the number one answer was that they talk about their vitiligo freely with anyone and everyone. I wasn’t surprised by this; it’s the one thing that has made all the difference in my life, too. It works because you’re not treating vitiligo like a dirty little secret, or something of which you should be ashamed. You approach the subject with authority because you have knowledge to share. Authority gives an air of confidence, and confidence is irresistible.

What do you do to feel better about having vitiligo?

The What do you do to feel better about vitiligo? by Nathalie Pelletier, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.