The Power Of A Compliment

I will remember this one forever. And when you hear what it is, you might think, “That’s it?”

This one made my day. Or even my week. Someone told me I smelled nice. I know, it sounds simple, but it meant so much more to me than they could ever know. I was wearing the first perfume I ever bought for myself – Miss Dior. And that one small comment carried so much weight.

You know when someone walks by you on the street or somewhere else, and you just think, “Wow, they smell so pretty”? I’ve always wanted to be that person – the one who leaves a lingering, lovely impression. But why is that so important to me?

I think it’s because, growing up, I did leave an impression – but not the kind I wanted. When I was in 4th grade, the whole school knew I had lice. My parents tried everything to tackle it, but it was a stubborn problem that wouldn’t go away easily. The whispers, the looks, and the way people avoided me – it stuck with me. I became “that kid” with lice, and the embarrassment and isolation left a deep mark on me.

So, as I grew older, I longed to rewrite that narrative. I wanted to be remembered for something good, something beautiful. Wearing a fragrance that people notice is part of that. It’s my way of reclaiming the narrative, of telling the world, “I’m here, and I’m worth noticing for the right reasons”.

When that person told me I smelled nice, it wasn’t just about the scent – it was validation. Validation that I could be seen differently, that I could leave a positive mark on someone’s day, even if just for a moment. It was a reminder that even the smallest compliments can have the biggest impact.

We often underestimate the power of our words. A simple compliment might seem insignificant to the one giving it, but it can mean the world to the person receiving it. It can uplift them, change their mood, or even help heal old wounds.

So, if you ever think of something kind about someone – whether it’s their perfume, their smile, or the way they carry themselves – say it. You never know how much they might need to hear it.

For me, that one compliment did more than make my day. It helped me realize how far I’ve come from the days of 4th grade, and how something as simple as a scent can be a symbol of growth and transformation.

And to the person who noticed, thank you. You may not know it, but you gave me a gift that day—a moment of validation, of beauty, and of healing.