Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

It is not the first time that someone told me I am a little hunchbacked when walking. However, I didn't used to take it seriously due to my comforting honey-mouthed friends and colleagues saying it was too subtle to be noticeable.

This time, I bristled when a friend told me this. He claimed he had a crush on me but could not like me for this and other reasons during a face-to-face talk.

The friend directly asked, "I thought you are a person who has goals for yourself. But why are your goals that low?" He continued by pointing out two other shortcomings that he thought I should have noticed and improved but hadn't - being overweight and having teeth that were not pearly white.

Thank heavens, he stopped by concluding that to date he had not found a fourth reason to criticize me. Otherwise, I don't know whether I could manage to react courteously and gracefully accept his precious suggestions.

To save face, I attempted to fight back by asking him why some people are so "shallow" in judging whether someone deserves to be loved or not. There are so many important aspects of a person to evaluate and judge, such as his or her personality and character, but people like him attach too much emphasis to superficial factors such as physical appearance.

But my tongue seemed to be tangled when I wanted to throw this thought out at him. To be frank, I found what he said inspired me.

I really have goals for myself.

I enjoy listing plans every month. Looking back at the massive sticky notes posted on the walls in my bedroom, I think I know very well what I want: 1. Get up at 7 am to cook a healthy breakfast. 2. Read 15 pages of a book after breakfast. 3. Apply exquisite makeup before going to work. 4. Practice yoga after work. 5. Do anything that can help improve my current job for one hour. 6. Listen to English radio programs while applying a facial mask at 9 every night. 7. Go to bed by 11 pm to ensure good skin.

However, my standards for myself are low. It's because none of these plans have ever lasted for 14 straight days.

Instead, most of the time after work, I'd rather snack on crispy chips while watching interesting TV programs or dine and shop outside with friends until late.

I still remember an article I read titled, "Please never look down upon a woman who can keep fit."

It is reasonable. Such a woman should have willpower that ordinary people don't have and she can refuse temptations that ordinary people cannot resist. She has to keep to a diet, insist on exercising every day and say no to a lot of delicious food that can make her fat. With such a strong will and control, you can imagine the woman's capabilities in love and career.

There is nothing wrong with improving your appearance. The aim is not to cater to any other person but to do it for yourself. As for me, walking with my back straight makes me seem vigorous, having pearly white teeth makes me more attractive, and owning a violin-shaped figure makes me a sexy clothes hanger. Please start by improving your appearance, and you will see the willpower generated from that will also help other aspects of your life, like love, study and career. Since you have a chance to be almost perfect, why leave others a chance to criticize you?

This article was published on the Global Times Metropolitan section Two Cents page, a space for reader submissions, including opinion, humor and satire. The ideas expressed are those of the author alone, and do not represent the position of the Global Times.