About this quote

That short question often masks a search for approval and a fear of rejection. You can hear the wish that someone else will give you permission to feel good about your looks. Notice who you ask and what answer you hope to get. Try naming the feeling behind the question, then take one small action—stand taller, say what you need, or put the phone away—and see how that changes things.

When to use it

• Before a first date she sends a selfie to her friend and asks, 'Do you think I'm pretty?'
• After a bad haircut a teenage daughter turns to her mom and says, 'Do you think I'm pretty?'
• An influencer about to post a sponsored selfie hesitates and messages their manager, 'Do you think I'm pretty?'
• In a therapy session about self-image he looks up and asks his therapist, 'Do you think I'm pretty?'