This past Sunday, I tuned in to the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, always eager to see the next greatest performance or publicity stunt. I was pleasantly surprised when singer Alessia Cara won the award for Best New Artist. The competition was fierce, with some nominees being more established than others. Unfortunately, as is often the case, Cara faced backlash online. However, what many of her critics fail to recognize is that she won in part because of the positive messages in her songs. One song, “Scars to Your Beautiful,” resonated deeply with me during a challenging time in my life.
The Message Behind "Scars to Your Beautiful"
For those unfamiliar with the song, its central theme is that everyone is beautiful just as they are. Before my major surgery, I struggled with the thought of having a six-inch scar running from the top of my rib cage to my belly button. While scars may seem superficial to outsiders, they penetrate far deeper than skin for those who carry them. My apprehension about having a scar stemmed not from concerns about my appearance but rather from the permanent reminder of my medical condition.
The Day of Surgery: A Turning Point
On the morning of my surgery, I took a photo of my undisturbed abdomen to commemorate my old normal. I didn’t look at my scar until the day after the procedure, and I was extremely reluctant to do so. The thought of it was unsettling, as it served as a reminder of the fragility of human life. When I finally mustered the courage to take a peek, it was an emotional moment for me, but not in the way I had anticipated. I became profoundly grateful for that scar and everything it represented.
It was so much more than a laceration on my skin; it symbolized the hard work of the doctors and nurses who helped me, a testament to a struggle well fought, and a beacon of healing to come.
Embracing My Scar: A Year Later
A year later, I stumbled upon the photo from the morning of my surgery and decided to delete it. I no longer felt the need to cling to that memory, as it no longer reflected who I had become. Everything I’ve experienced has shaped me, and I take immense pride in that. The scar has become a part of me—a metaphorical tattoo that reminds me of my strength and the endless possibilities life has to offer.
Redefining Beauty
Now, when I look at myself, I hardly notice “the scar” anymore; it is simply a part of me. My favorite line from Cara’s song says, “No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful.” To me, beauty transcends physical appearance; it encompasses everything good in life.
Beauty is every day we get to live, every smile, and every laugh. It’s the ability to look beyond the surface and share our stories. True beauty is being able to gaze at ourselves in the mirror and see not our scars, but the incredible, ever-evolving people we all are.
About the Author
Nicole Gustafson received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She recently moved from Connecticut to Menlo Park, California and is attending graduate school at Santa Clara University. Nicole is studying Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Correctional Psychology.