8 Resourceful Ways to Save Money for Pageantry Expenses

Competing in a pageant can come with a lot of expenses. Think of all the things you need to pay for - your hotel stay, food, wardrobe, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, photography, coaching... the list goes on and on. Before going out to acquire sponsors or spending any money, you should take the time to create a pageant budget. I will share little tips and tricks on how to save money and spend it only where it truly matters. By becoming a Quadruple P, or Pageant Penny Pincher Princess, you can develop confidence with your savvy financial finesse and spend more time preparing versus stressing about obtaining sponsorship. These ideas also work well for contestants who are not seeking sponsors, but desire to save a significant amount of money. The best part is that no one will know how much more affordable the pageant is for you unless you tell them!

1. First of all, make a list of all of the expenses related to your pageant competition. Do not write down any numbers yet, but simply list all of the categories your budget will need to cover. Do not worry about which categories are more important to you, because you will want to keep an open mind throughout all aspects of your budgeting. For example, there is no rule or reason to believe that a thousand dollar evening gown is the only way to win. Focus only upon keeping track of what your pageant budget will need to include.

2. Now, find out what your entry fee provides in addition to competing in the pageant. Some entry fees cover meals and hotel stay, while others do not. If your pageant entry fee does not cover meals, consider searching for a grocery store or food market close by to the host hotel. There is no need to eat Eggs Benedict and Filet Mignon during the pageant if you truly cannot afford it. Find out if your hotel room offers a microwave and/or small refrigerator to determine what kind of groceries you can purchase. For example, your breakfast can consist of cereal and milk, your lunch could be a homemade salad or wrap, you can snack on Luna bars and fresh fruit, you can drink Crystal Lite, and you can have a Lean Pocket or other microwave meal for dinner. Yes, the restaurant and room service at the hotel may offer food of a higher quality, but it does come with a price you have to pay for.

3. When it comes to your headshot, find the right kind of photography professional for you. You usually would find a professional photographer. But, do not think that you need to rely upon the typical services of a photography professional. This is a two-way street. First of all, you can consider seeking a photographer who will take your picture, either free of charge or with a significant discount, for advertising purposes or with the understanding that you will recommend the photographer to your friends and family. Secondly, you can have someone you know take a picture of you under the following circumstances. You will want to have pageant-appropriate makeup. If you cannot apply makeup yourself, then go to a makeup counter and ask for either a 'smoky eye' or 'bold lip,' choosing the one that emphasizes your best feature of either eyes or lips. Have the makeup artist also apply foundation, powder, and blush. This service is free, but express your gratitude by purchasing one of the items used to create your look, such as a mascara or lip gloss. Also, have your hair styled as you would in the pageant. You can have someone assist you if you need it. Finally, put on a solid top and your best chandelier earrings, and lean against a neutral background, such as a wall. Do not stress too much about the lighting and such. Have someone take multiple shots of you until you find one that you feel is the most beautiful reflection of you. You will not submit this picture as it is on the camera. Instead, find a professional who is familiar with photo-editing software such as Photoshop. You can contemplate going to Pageantry Retouching. You can also easily find a highly talented individual on Model Mayhem, identified as 'Photoshop Wizards.' Go through portfolios of several editors until you find someone that you feel will give you the best airbrushed look appropriate for your competition. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars for a photoshoot, you can spend around $50 or less for photo editing.

4. Upon creating your pageant wardrobe, combine the old with the new. You can go to a vintage shop and discover beautiful clothing and jewelry. You can also go to a consignment shop or place such as Goodwill. I once bought a beautiful silver Jessica McClintock gown, that I was crowned in, for $11 at Goodwill. There is no need to be narrow-minded, for no one will know how much you spent! The only factors to keep in mind are fit and style. If a piece does not fit you correctly, remember that you will need to get alterations, which cost money. This may be less than a similar piece at a modern store, but make sure to compare the costs side by side whenever possible. Also, watch out for pieces that cannot be taken in if they do not fit as is. Secondly, many of these pieces are out-dated in style. Try to look for styles that are still relevant, and combine it with more modern pieces to keep your look fresh and stylish.

5. To expand your wardrobe even further, look into some closets. Search the closets of similar-size friends and family to see if there are any shoes or pieces of clothing that you could borrow. You could also ask any female, even if she was a different size from you, to borrow a jewelry item. Most importantly, your own closet may carry the keys to success. Do you really need another interview suit, if the one from last year served you well? Is it impossible to wear shoes you already own? Especially when it comes to your wardrobe, you need to weigh need versus want when it comes to your pageant budget. You can wear the black pencil skirt you already own with a new top and this-season necklace.

6. When it comes to finding a gown, consult other pageant contestants for fulfilling your wardrobe needs. The best place to do so, to my knowledge, is Pageant Resale, a website where you can rent or buy pageant gowns from other contestants. You can search for specific details of gowns in order to potentially find the perfect gown for you. Remember that you will only be wearing the gown for the pageant, and that the other contestant most likely used her gown only once as well. Instead of spending full-price for a new gown, you could save money by purchasing a gently used gown in wonderful condition instead.

7. Realize that you may need to look for affordable apparel when shopping for your pageant wardrobe. Remember the price tag is removed and the label is typically on the inside of your clothing. No one may be able to tell the difference from whether or not you bought a gold chain necklace from Forever 21 or Nordstrom's, and more importantly, the judges really don't care how much you spend. They are concerned about whether or not you are the best contestant for the title, and whether you spent $300 or $20 on your black pencil skirt will not impact their decision. Therefore, have no shame in going to stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Target. You do not need to buy everything at these stores unless you want to, but even purchasing half of your wardrobe at more affordable stores saves you a significant amount of money. Just so you know, I have a pair of crystal chandelier earrings from Forever 21 that I bought two years ago for $3.80. They are still a staple in my pageant wardrobe today.

8. Last but not least, spend only where it counts. Choose two categories that are most important to you. My personal recommendation would be to include coaching as one of them. The second one can be whatever you want, such as having your dream evening gown or spending more money on shoes. These are the categories where you give yourself permission to spend more. However, you have to agree that you will put your best effort forth in pursuing more affordable means in all other categories of your pageantry budget. This may not be a possible feat, but you never know what opportunities will present themselves if you actively seek them.

I truly encourage you to do everything in your power to ensure a reduced budget for pursuing your pageant dreams. With my suggestions and your own creativity, you can reach your goal of competing in a pageant and save a good amount of money as well.

-Miss Pageant Prep

6 Components of Pageant Health

In a general view, health addresses multiple dimensions that can help you achieve your full potential and experience life to the fullest. Overall health will provide you with balance and wellness in your life. Beauty pageants are clearly focused on beauty, and it is false that unhealthy is beautiful in the pageant world. In fact, I feel that success in pageantry is almost reliant upon strong health. Naturally you need to be in shape and most likely at a certain weight for the swimsuit competition, but health is about more than diet and exercise. Your mental, emotional, social, environmental and spiritual health also play a role in your pageant well-being.

First of all, the most acknowledged component of health is physical health, related directly to the body. With physical health, you want to develop good knowledge of nutrition and fitness. You can put your knowledge to good use by creating a diet plan and fitness regimen that is effective and possible to remain faithful to, enlisting the assistance of a professional if needed. The physical health dimension is obviously important for looking good in a swimsuit and in the rest of your pageant wardrobe. Physical health also includes making good decisions with substances such as alcohol and cigarettes. Remember to read your pageant contracts thoroughly, to prevent making negative choices to the best of your ability, and to make positive decisions that will not inhibit your physical health.

Mental health describes maintaining mental stability and reality. You want to be mentally present in every moment of the pageant. During preparation, a sharp mind is crucial to making the most of your efforts. During the competition aspects of the experience, regulating your stress effectively and remaining focused will keep you at the top of your game. You also want to exercise strong intellectual capability while answering tough interview questions. Finally, learning and growing from the competition gives you the opportunity to continue the development of your mental health.

A pageant can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, especially if your emotional health is not kept in check. Good emotional health means that you understand how to appropriately express your feelings and regulate healthy thoughts. Emotional health is key to keeping yourself pulled together even during intense moments of competition. It is not about holding everything in, but in releasing your energy in a constructive and positive style. Your emotional health also includes your self-esteem. Any successful pageant contestant will emphasize how important it is to be confident. If you do not believe in yourself, it is very difficult to persuade the judges to believe in you. Express yourself in a way that you would be proud of, and make sure to compete with confidence in your ability to be successful.

You are connected to many people during the pageant, so your social health may determine their impact upon you. Social health is usually more of a factor in non-competitive settings, but the influence can be carried with you into the competitive field if it is strong enough. Your social health is defined by your interaction with others, no matter the people or situation. During the pageant, you can try to build up a wall around yourself to block out the rest of the world. But such severe avoidance is unhealthy and quite impossible. You have to deal with family and friends supporting you at the pageant, judges and pageant staff within the pageant, other contestants, and possibly additional social sources. Why not take advantage of these connections and make each interaction a meaningful one? You can truly benefit from strong social health when you give to others and receive their love and support in return.

Your environmental health addresses your role in society. I believe that environmental health is fabulous to strengthen through your platform or community service. With an active involvement in a cause you are passionate about, you assist in making the world a better place. Your contribution to society can elevate your sense of peace and well-being. Finally, your beliefs, morals and convictions involve your spiritual health. You want to be aware of your opinions about delicately controversial issues and understand your own spiritual direction. Your views do not need to be modified for any pageant system. However, your values should always be expressed respectfully. Your spiritual health is usually expressed during your interview responses.

I encourage you to make striving for overall pageant health one of your goals. You can become the best contestant you can be by maintaining a balanced lifestyle. With good health, you can effortlessly radiate happiness, intelligence, grace, beauty and other lovely qualities during the competition and in every day life as well. I wish you the best in your pageant goals and dreams!

-Miss Pageant Prep

The Nose Knows

The scent you wear serves two purposes: to help you reach a certain emotion and to send a message to others. While wearing more than one fragrance during the pageant competition is certainly not necessary, there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of your sense of smell. There may not be a strong benefit when it comes to using perfumes for various occasions. However, your choices are a wonderful and subtle way to express yourself appropriately throughout your pageant experience. There is also the added benefit of aromatherapy. You can use a perfume, body spray, lotion, shampoo, or any product with a scent. I have come up with five different scents that you can wear. However, you do not need to wear all five of them. The decision is completely yours to make.

1. Your magnetic scent will lure others to you, preferably the other contestants. This scent would be too seductive for the judges and pageant officials. However, this scent gives you a lot of confidence and makes you feel empowered, so you're in a great mood for being friendly towards the other contestants without feeling intimidated by them. This scent is best used in social situations when you would interact with other contestants and potentially befriend some of them!

2. Your ladylike scent is very elegant but also reflects the attitude of your evening wear gown. For example, if you had a hot pink gown with a dramatic slit, then your scent would be elegant but also very bold. If you had a classic design in a demure white, then you may want to gravitate towards a more sophisticated scent. You want this fragrance to be completely elegant but to also represent the personality of your gown choice.

3. Your flirtatious scent would exude confidence and happiness for the swimwear competition. This fragrance may be fruity. This scent will trigger an empowering spring in your step and a sparkle to your eyes. Overall, you just feel amazing about who you are, inside and out.

4. Your professional scent would be very light and subtle, almost as if it's not there. The top note of the fragrance should be something gentle, like rose or vanilla. Your professional scent should not be something noticeable or detracting, since you want the judges to focus on you and not the scent of you. Your professional scent should be a part of you as a whole.

5. Your signature scent would be your favorite scent that you usually wear all the time. This scent will evoke a feeling of comfort whenever you wear it and is appropriate for any occasion that makes you feel nervous. This would be a wonderful scent to wear during the finale, where your nerves are shot and your energy may be a little drained. However, your signature scent will have subconsciously restorative and comforting properties that bring you to be your best self.

Wearing a fragrance to enhance the occasion of a competition or pageant event is all in good fun. There is nothing to lose and fragrance can only enhance you as an individual. Maybe there will be a subtle sparkle to you that the judges pick up on from the effect of your fragrance choices. I hope you experience your pageant competition to the fullest, regardless of the scents you wear.

-Miss Pageant Prep

Entitled To The Crown

Some pageant contestants may feel an entitlement to the crown. This means that you feel as if you deserve the crown, you and only you, and that no one else should have it. You may not feel this emotion so passionately that you can detect it. However, I urge you to read this post in order to understand a positive and healthy attitude for the pageant competition. Even if you do not believe that you feel entitled, this post can help you comprehend the mindset of a winning contestant.

I will warn you that I am going to be firm and blunt, but I truly want you to be in a positive perspective. The energy that the judges and other contestants receive from you can hurt your pageant scores and the value of pageant friendships you could make. If you open your heart to truthfully acknowledging your entitlement to the crown if you possess one and make the effort to replace your energy of entitlement with joyful and kind energy, then I can guarantee that your pageant experience will be more enjoyable and more successful than it would have been otherwise.

1. You do not deserve the title more than any other present contestant.

No contestant has a single quality that makes them deserve to win a pageant more than another girl. We all have our own talents and adversities that set us apart from each other. No matter how hard you have worked to prepare or what you have been through in life, the endeavors and challenges of any other contestant are no less significant than your own. You want to work hard in order to be at your best level, and you want to cherish your achievements and recognize your inner strength. But your hard work and your strength are meaningless if you use them in a condescending perspective. Remember that you may never truly know how much the other contestants have endured in pageant preparation and in life itself, and therefore you have no right to believe that your obstacles are more important than someone else's.

2. It is not the end of the world if you do not win.

Yes, the particular pageant you are competing in may be that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to where you cannot compete in that pageant on that same day again. Remember that when one door closes, another one opens. You can always compete in the same pageant or a different system the following year. You can always strive to accomplish other goals, whether or not they be related to pageantry. Life goes on, as long as you make the decision to move on and work towards greater things or improving for a second chance at competing.

3. You are not better than any other contestant.

You may believe that you are above other contestants. The judges would not want to crown a contestant who feels superior to others. Every contestant in the competition has a fair chance of winning, and the judges are going to give each contestant equal consideration for the crown. Maybe there was a contestant with a zebra print gown that wasn't very flattering to her figure. Just because you know your cobalt blue gown was killer doesn't mean that you're necessarily better. You place yourself in a destructive zone with those kind of judgments. You should not feel a need to put others down in order to make yourself feel better about your chance of being crowned. Instead, focus on competing at your personal best level, without any regard to knowing if the personal best of other contestants is above or below your own level.

4. Everything happens for a reason.

I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that when a girl wins a pageant competition, it's her moment to shine. If a girl does not receive the title, then she is not ready for the crowning moment. God wants her to appreciate the other gifts of a pageant - whether that be the experience you now have, a place in the top ten, a high interview score, new friends, etc. If I had won my first pageant competition, I would have been blind to the invaluable skills I learned from the competition. I would not have been open to improvement for my future competitions. Maybe the pageant defeat is actually a blessing in disguise for you as well, and there is a more wonderful opportunity not yet known to you in the waiting after the competition. Focus on reminding yourself of what you did accomplish, despite not winning the title, and remember to be happy for the girl that was crowned! Wouldn't you want others to share your joy with you if you were crowned? I believe you would!

Don't take it to heart if you happened to fall under any of the entitlement categories. As long as you own up to your true feelings and move into a transformed and positive territory, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Entitlement can let you down so easily and make it difficult for you to acknowledge your accomplishments and to connect with the other contestants. Meanwhile, letting go of your entitlement can open you up to a much more positive pageant experience.

I wish you the best with all of your pageant endeavors!

-Miss Pageant Prep

Channeling Desire Into Action

Many pageant girls are "in it to win it," meaning that they enter pageant competitions mainly to win the crown. While there is nothing wrong with desiring the title, I want to show you how to channel your desire into proper preparation and help you understand that certain degrees of desire can be damaging.

You have taken the first step by identifying your desire as the pageant title. The next step is to determine what steps you need to take in order to be successful at the pageant. You should not only clarify what you want to accomplish, but the ways to achieve your pageant goals. I always recommend that you break down your goals into small, manageable steps.

You need to acknowledge that taking action is essential for preparing for a pageant. You truly have to commit to giving yourself enough time to prepare, and that you make the most of your time. You cannot succeed in the interview competition without practicing with sample questions or understanding current events. You cannot have a successful walk during the evening wear if you have never worn your shoes and gown prior to the pageant. Your body may not be bikini-ready if you do not exercise regularly. Whenever I realize that I need to take action in order to accomplish my goals, the Britney Spears lyric, "Why don't ya do somethin'?" always comes to my mind.

You need to devote part of your time at least a few times a week to preparing for your pageant. Even if you take only twenty minutes a day for three or four times a week to work on your walk, that time counts. When you are in those twenty minutes, you want to focus completely on your preparation. You may want to be alone or with your pageant coach. You do not want to accept phone calls or texts. You are not going to be checking e-mail or doing anything unrelated to your pageant walk in those twenty minutes. From the moment you begin preparation, you want to be a thousand percent committed to your preparation cause until the last second of your preparation slot. No matter how badly you want to win, it may be hard to feel the desire in your moment of preparation. A great way to bring your mind to your desire is to tell yourself in a positive tone: "You want it? Go get it!" This phrase reminds you that you want to win, but that you have a responsibility to take action in order to be successful.

However, you have to understand that many judges can sense if you have a desperate desire for the crown. The energy of wanting the crown a little too much can be repulsive. If you believe in yourself, give your all, and stay true to who you are, then that is all that matters. You want to possess self-confidence, but also faith (without any expectation) that your desire will be fulfilled. You can turn over your desire, either to God through prayer or to fate through trusting that what is meant to be will be.

I wish you the best in all of your pageant goals, and I hope that you will go for whatever you want in pageantry and life!

-Miss Pageant Prep

Casual Wear Impressions and Originality

Choosing a beautiful gown, interview suit, and swimsuit are essential parts of preparing for your pageant. But your casual wear outfits may also be important. When I say casual wear, this not only includes a casual wear competition outfit (which your pageant may or may not have), but also the clothes you wear in non-competitive settings, such as when you're getting breakfast or at rehearsals. You don't need to spend a lot of money on your clothes. However, I encourage you to look polished and to represent your true sense of style. You never know who you may run into. I have encountered judges and pageant officials numerous times in the elevator of the host hotel.

Now, I am definitely not encouraging you to run around the hotel and search for these people in order to impress them with your casual looks. However, if you happen to meet them for a few moments by coincidence, then that's completely appropriate. I honestly don't believe that such encounters will really make a difference in the pageant scores. However, if a judge sees you in a lovely ensemble with a beautiful attitude and a smile on your face, they may carry that impression with them subconsciously. Also, there's no harm whatsoever in simply looking your best and being at your top game throughout the competition. Honestly, I feel unprepared and a little stressed when I am running around the hotel in pajamas and Velcro rollers. Sometimes that look is understandable because of time constraints. But when my look is put-together, I feel put-together. I strive to make an effort for my appearance as long as I have the time.

Here are some ideas for creating your own original casual wear looks (you do not need to use them all; simply choose what feels best for you):

1. Select a muse or two to set a high standard for yourself. One way to create your casual wear look is to find a muse that you keep on your mind while searching for the pieces of your ensemble. Your muse should embody your vision of beauty, fashion, and ideals. Maybe you are inspired by icons such as Sophia Loren or Audrey Hepburn. Or maybe you love the style of a modern celebrity such as Rachel Bilson or Keira Knightley. No matter who you choose as your muse, discover why you chose them as your muse. You can contemplate characteristics; for example, Marilyn Monroe was glamorous and full of life. You may understand their sense of style and personality by studying pictures of them. You could look at photographs of the icons or search through galleries on fansites dedicated to these celebrities to find many images and ideas.
You simply want to keep your muse on your mind as you contemplate your apparel choices. Thinking, 'What would Audrey wear?' may gravitate you towards a chic black turtleneck or something else extraordinary.

2. Borrow elements without being a copycat. One of my inspirations is the show Gossip Girl. However, I am not going to take notes on Blair's outfits and imitate the look perfectly. Instead, I analyze the outfit that I am drawn to and look for what in particular I like. Maybe I really love her trendy blazer or a certain crystal-beaded headband. I want to incorporate one or two elements from her look into my own original look. I do not want to give people the impression of Blair; I want to give others a wonderful impression of me. If you look fresh out of a magazine, you may appear to be stylish, but you may not be properly representing your true sense of fashion and identity. Only risk borrowing one or two elements to prevent a dishonest portrayal of yourself.

3. Personalize your look with pieces from unique places. If you find a perfect bracelet at a vintage shop or purchase an original design from etsy.com, you give yourself an edge in originality. You own something that others have a very small, if not impossible, chance of owning as well. Only choose an item or two that truly stands out to you and feels special.

4. Incorporate a meaningful signature piece into every look. This does not necessarily need to be a 'lucky charm,' but this would be a piece that makes you feel secure. This signature piece would be something that has deep meaning to you and connects to you in a special way. You would want to wear this signature piece as often as possible, so jewelry would be the best route.

5. Consider a charitable item as a part of your look. Maybe the bracelet on your wrist has a portion of the proceeds donated to breast cancer research, or you're wearing a pair of Tom's Shoes, where a pair of shoes is donated to those in need with every pair of shoes purchased. Whatever the case may be, wearing a charitable item reminds you of your kindness and service. Try to support a charity you truly care about, and make sure that you are well-informed about the purpose of your purchase. You may receive a compliment about it, where you could explain the cause to the other person with the hope that they will consider purchasing the product to support the charity.

I hope that these tips will guide you towards polished looks that truly represent who you are. I wish you the best of luck in your next pageant!

-Miss Pageant Prep

Journaling For Pageant Success and Life Fulfillment

Another valuable episode of Pageant Talk Radio, hosted by Valerie Hayes, is her "Journal Your Way To Pageant Success!" episode. Sandy Grason, the author of Journalution: Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams, is an expert guest on the episode. Please consider listening to the audio of the episode in order to receive the full effect of the information. However, you can simply read my perspective if you would prefer to do so. My words are inspired by the show's discussion, but a few of my own thoughts may also flow into the post. I am not writing out the discussion word for word, but you will see quotes and ideas from the episode included in this post. I try to balance the content of the show with my own personal style in order to emphasize the purpose of the episode efficiently.

In this episode, Valerie and Sandy explain how to achieve personal and pageant goals through journaling to create every-day successes. I have organized the content of the discussion into ten bullets of information. Read on to see what journaling can do for you and how to make the most of your journaling endeavors.


1. Know what journaling is and what journaling can do for you. You want to let go of any pre-conceived notions you may have about journaling - whether this be where you write, how frequently you write, what you write about, etc. When you journal, you want to write out your thoughts and feelings so they are no longer trapped inside of you. You want to take an honest look at your feelings, events in your life, your identity, and everything that you need to look at and figure out. You can start writing at any point in your life, and you do not need to write about your entire life all at once. You want your writing to be naturally focused on your emotions instead of writing down forced recollections. You do not need to write every single day unless you want to. However, it is important to remember that you get a little closer to who you truly are every time that you write. You should also keep your journal with you 24-7 so that you can write whenever the feeling strikes. Your journal should be in a form that truly portrays you. If you feel comfortable maintaining a pretty and neat journal, then do so. However, if you want to scribble on an envelope simply because it's the only thing around or write outside of your paper margins, that's perfectly acceptable. Your journal does not need to be organized and pretty all the time. Don't beat yourself up about not writing every day, writing in a messy format, or somehow journaling the "wrong" way. Do not be afraid of journaling the wrong way and just go with what feels right for you.

Journaling can be used for two purposes: finding yourself and setting goals. When you write emotionally, you can uncover the feelings below the surface that may have been holding you back in life. By identifying these feelings, you can discover strength within yourself that helps you move forward and resolve the issues presently in your life. You can start to believe that there is a greater purpose beyond your greatest pain. You can learn to connect with your gifts and your beauty. When you write in order to accomplish your goals, you can stay on track with achieving your goals and creating a life that you love.

2. Hear your inner wisdom speak through journaling. Your inner critic yells at you while your inner wisdom whispers to you. Your inner wisdom is the voice that will guide you throughout life. Your inner wisdom will tell you to follow your dreams and overcome your self-doubt. Your inner wisdom possesses the power to transform your life. You will see your purpose in life and understand that you can make a huge impact in the world. Journaling will nurture that inner wisdom. Over time, you will hear your inner wisdom become louder and louder. Every journaling entry will be a baby step towards greater plans and wisdom in your life.

3. Discover clarity and calm within your mind as you journal. Writing will help you remove the internal chatter that constantly exists inside your mind. This internal chatter prevents you from being in touch with your inner wisdom. A quiet and rational mind can help you find your vision in order to determine what you want from your life. Mental clarity can also help you focus upon recognizing your pageant goals and improving your pageant skills.

4. Connect with your pageantry vision through your journal. Although you would probably get the most from journaling if you did not focus solely on pageants, you can incorporate the benefits of journaling into pageantry success. For example, let's say you wanted to lose 20 pounds prior to your pageant competition. Get a picture of someone at your ideal weight and put that in your journal. Write about how healthy and joyful you would feel at your goal weight in order to connect with the feelings that achieving that goal will evoke. You do not want to write about how you have not reached your goal yet. Instead, focus on how good it will feel to accomplish that goal. You can also use this technique with acing your pageant interview - think about what questions you will be asked, how you will answer those questions, and how you will feel as you answer those questions. Your vision should come from your heart and reflect your ideal situation in a strong and positive manner.

5. Write about a perfect pageant day in your journal. Imagine the perfect day at your pageant competition and write about it. You want to describe this perfect pageant day in complete detail and write about everything little factor in the day. Include what you ate for breakfast, what shampoo you used, what shoes you wore, who you will see and converse with, your feelings, absolutely anything and everything from moment to moment. You want to paint a picture of your perfect pageant day from beginning to end. Write out the day exactly the way you want it to happen. Contemplate how you want to be at the pageant and become in touch with the best version of yourself. Envisioning every detail of your perfect pageant day will help attract the future.

6. Write about the things you don't want to write about. You can write about anything and everything in your journal. Sometimes you may not want to write about certain events and feelings. But you can release the negative feelings that you carry around in your mind and your heart by writing entries started by the prompt: "I don't want to write about..." These topics may scare you and you may feel safe hiding from the truth. But once you get it all out, you can grow from your writing or possibly realize that writing about the feeling or event was not such a big deal. If you need to, you can always rip up the particular journal entry. Your journaling can expose all parts of you - the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. But journaling is about becoming in touch with your true feelings and honest identity.

7. Journal after your pageant competition to improve as a contestant. After the pageant, if you did not do as well as you had hoped, you may feel anger and disappointment with others or yourself. We look at what went wrong instead of celebrating the good things. Instead of journaling about the negative emotions you most likely feel, celebrate all of the amazing things that you accomplished. Find the joy in your successes and give yourself permission to claim your magnificence. You may not have been crowned, but simply competing in the pageant should be something to be proud of. You can also write about what you would like to do differently in your next competition, maintaining a positive and constructive tone in your writing. You can rewrite your ideal perfect day as well with the experience from your competition.

8. Use your journal to become and remain your best self. Your journal can help you understand who you are and who you want to be. You want to stay connected to the best version of yourself as often as possible. Even when you are not journaling, remind yourself of who you really want to be in the world with every moment. You can see drastic changes in your words and actions and feel better about yourself once you reach that genuine peak.

9. Make a list of your accomplishments from the information in your old journal entries. While it is not necessary to reread old journal entries - follow your intuition on if you feel this is right for you - you may need the reminder of what you have accomplished. You can go back after a year of journaling (or less time even), to remember your accomplishments and maybe read about petty things that were once important but have since been forgotten. You can make a list of the big and small accomplishments described in journal entries in order to celebrate the progress you have made. Once you have finished with your list, you can start with new goals. Even if you have not written any journal entries yet, feel free to create a list of your accomplishments anyway to extract the energy and greatness into your life.

10. Develop a system to confront your obligations with flair. We all have our obligations that may be hard to get over with. We may put them off and not complete what we need to get done. However, you can manage your energy effectively with different ideas all part of a [your name here + licious] System. You can listen to a song in between every task on your to-do list to get you pumped. You can create a vision board of people that you need to call or fill it with inspiring and uplifting pictures and words that remind you of how great you are. You can think of everyone you need to work with as a "ten" by enjoying their presence. Also, regularly reward yourself for completing tasks and celebrate your achievements with something like a piece of chocolate, some ice cream, a manicure, a massage, a new pair of shoes, etc. You want to get things done and move towards your great vision but constantly have fun and feel fabulous at the same time.

I would like to emphasize my personal belief that a contestant should focus on being your best self, not only in pageantry but in life itself. An internal unresolved conflict in your life unrelated to pageantry can hold yourself back in your competition. The negative energy you carry from an event such as a recent break-up or your parents' divorce unknowingly may be affecting your pageant performance. Maintaining a non-pageant journal can strengthen your pageant performance by helping you release the negative energy and feel lighter and more joyful all around.

Consider using a journal to become a better person and a stronger pageant contestant. I wish you all the best in your next pageant competition and your journaling pursuits.

-Miss Pageant Prep