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International Natural Day

Embrace and own your individuality — celebrate your unique qualities and don't forget to treat yourself with kindness and respect.

Attitudes & Emotions Life & Living Mental Health45

Marketing angleinferred

Position your brand as a champion of self-acceptance and mental wellness by supporting youth-focused campaigns that celebrate natural beauty and authenticity over perfection.

Relevance 45low intent

Share real stories of overcoming appearance-based bullying and self-doubt
Host school/community events promoting body positivity and mental health resources
Partner with counseling services or mental health nonprofits to amplify support messaging
Feature 'going natural' challenges that normalize skipping makeup/styling products

History

The founder of the day, Sanah Jivani, was inspired by a personal event to establish the day as well as the Love Your Natural Self Foundation.

A life-long battle with alopecia caused Jivani to struggle with her appearance during middle school and high school, particularly when she was bullied for wearing a wig and then began to engage in self-harm.

Jivani’s motivation to establish International Natural Day came through a desire to help other kids who have been through similar struggles with wanting to hide the way they look.

The Love Your Natural Self Foundation spread throughout hundreds of schools in the United States, encouraging kids to be themselves and love themselves for who they are.

Inspired by the foundation, International Natural Day began in 2011 as a day for young people all over the world to celebrate the freedom that comes from being natural.

This day is a testament to the courage it takes to stand up for yourself for who you are, as well as the potential growth that can come when a person is empowered to be themselves!

How to celebrate

Go Natural!

Use the inspiration of International Natural Day to live that best life and be completely natural for the day. Skip the makeup and the hair straightener. Don’t worry about if that lipstick is perfectly applied. Appear to the world in a natural manner that allows you to just be you and to be comfortable in your own skin.

Raise Awareness for International Natural Day

One amazing way to celebrate and support the day is to hold events at school, in youth centers or other community spaces to encourage people to be their natural selves. Create a safe space where acceptance is the norm and people are free to talk about their own journeys and lives without judgment. Those who feel that hosting an event might be too much can certainly participate in the day by letting friends know about International Natural Day, putting up flyers, sharing on social media and more.

See a Counselor

Part of Sanah Jivani’s story of self-harm is related to bullying because of the way she looked. Her healing story didn’t happen overnight but took some time and investment by getting help and being vulnerable with an adult counselor. For those who are struggling with self-harm, negative behaviors, low self-esteem, bullying or other difficulties, it’s important to get help from someone who can act as a lifeline. Check with a school teacher or counselor, ask parents or call a hotline to get started on the healing journey.

FAQ

Is self-love the same as being selfish or self-centered?

Self-love in psychology refers to a healthy respect and care for oneself that supports mental health and positive relationships; it is distinct from narcissism or selfishness, which involve a sense of superiority, entitlement, and disregard for others. Healthy self-love includes self-compassion and recognition of one’s common humanity, and research shows it is linked to less anxiety and depression and more stable, caring relationships.

How is self-acceptance different from high self-esteem?

Self-esteem often depends on judging oneself as “good enough” or better than others, while self-acceptance involves acknowledging strengths and limitations without harsh self-criticism or denial. Experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasize unconditional self-acceptance—valuing oneself as a fallible human being regardless of success or approval—which is associated with more emotional stability than contingent, performance-based self-esteem.

What role does self-compassion play for people who experience bullying about their appearance?

Studies of young people who have been bullied show that higher self-compassion—treating oneself kindly in the face of pain, recognizing that suffering is shared, and staying mindful of difficult emotions—can reduce depression and other negative outcomes linked to victimization.Self-compassion can also buffer the impact of negative thoughts triggered by bullying and is sometimes more protective for vulnerable youth than general optimism or hope alone.

Can going “natural” with appearance improve body image and mental health?

Research on body image suggests that pressure to conform to narrow beauty standards, including hair, skin, and body shape ideals, is linked to lower self-esteem and higher risk of disordered eating and depression. Approaches that emphasize body appreciation and respect for one’s natural features—such as body neutrality and body functionality exercises—are associated with better body satisfaction and psychological well-being, especially when combined with reducing appearance-focused social comparisons.

How does social media influence self-love and self-image?

Social media can both support and undermine self-love: connecting with supportive communities may boost belonging and validation, but frequent comparison with idealized images is linked to lower self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Reviews of the research indicate that the impact depends heavily on how platforms are used—passive scrolling and comparison tend to be harmful, while active, supportive engagement and curating one’s feed toward positive, diverse content are associated with better outcomes.

What evidence-based practices help people build lasting self-compassion and self-love?

Psychologists recommend structured practices such as mindful self-compassion exercises, compassionate letter writing, and guided meditations, which have been shown in randomized trials to reduce self-criticism and increase emotional resilience. Other approaches with empirical support include cognitive restructuring of harsh self-talk, gratitude journaling, and behavioral self-care (sleep, movement, social connection), all of which can strengthen a kinder, more accepting relationship with oneself over time.

How can young people safely seek help if self-hatred or bullying leads to self-harm thoughts?

Public health guidance recommends that youth experiencing self-harm thoughts or severe distress tell a trusted adult—such as a parent, teacher, school counselor, or healthcare provider—as early as possible, since social support is a strong protective factor. Government and health agencies also advise using evidence-based resources like crisis hotlines, text or chat services, and school-based mental health programs, which can provide immediate safety planning, referrals to therapy, and tools to cope with bullying and appearance-based stigma.