Step 1 - The Power of Compliments

Take the first step to happiness with the gift of a compliment! 

Where did you get that? You’ll hear this question a lot when you shop at Glam Soldier, a unique Boho inspired boutique in downtown Apex, North Carolina. And we’re kicking off our new blog series, the 25 Steps to Happiness, by exploring the power of compliments.

When you wear our clothes, you're going to be showered with compliments wherever you go. So brace yourselves!

Compliments are like salve on a wound, a mother’s comforting hug, or even “verbal sunshine,” as writer Robert Orben so beautifully puts it. Kind words of praise and admiration, whether it’s for a new haircut or a great achievement, can be transformative. Mark Twain once said, “one compliment can keep me going for a whole month.”

We compliment each other on things like jewelry, bags, and clothes, which can spark awesome conversations with strangers and even lead to new friendships. And if you pick out a little something, maybe a handmade bag or redone vintage jacket, from our Glam Soldier private label collection, compliments are guaranteed.

But it’s not always about physical appearance, we also need recognition for who we are and what we do. We naturally perform better after receiving a compliment; a few choice words make us feel appreciated, loved, useful and respected. Complimenting others produces similar feelings of joy. 

Scientific benefits

And it's not just an ego boost, compliments have a profound effect on our behavior, according to scientists at the National Institute for Psychological Sciences in Japan. Studies show that a genuine compliment activates reward centers in our brains, and has the same positive effect as receiving a cash reward, improving mood, performance and learning skills. And in the afterglow of a compliment, you radiate positivity and love and spread it to others (and that’s about the only thing we want to be spreading these days!)

Imagine walking down the street and every person you meet says something nice? “You look fabulous today,” “great job on that project.” How would that make you feel? We all want to be liked and accepted, it's just part of being human. Words can be powerful, and they can make or break our day. Compliments are good for our health and general well-being and in turn, benefit society. It costs nothing to tell your mom she made a great meal, or to acknowledge a neighbor for their good deeds. But to them, these words are priceless. People who feel valued, respected, and appreciated create a better world.

Pay someone a compliment today!

How about we start something together, right now? Let’s make a promise to compliment someone - a friend, stranger, husband, employee - at least once a week. Are you in?

Thank you for reading and we hope you'll join us on this journey. We’ll leave you with this powerful quote by Michael Dolan: “Pay with compliments and you will always be wealthy.”

Stay safe, stay happy, stay glam!

Now it’s your turn to write. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? How did it make you feel? Let us know in the comments section below.

Come be a trendsetter at Glam Soldier, a women and veteran owned boutique, upstairs at 114 N. Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502. Call us on Call: 919-267-6442 Message us: @GlamSoldier.