Do you sometimes feel that it’s tough being you?
I certainly do.
There are many days when I ask myself, “Why me?”
There are days when I doubt myself.
“Why is my life this way?”
“I don’t know if I can deal with this anymore?”
There are moments when I put down myself.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Why do I look this way?”
Or there are times when I who I am doesn’t seem good enough.
“Why can’t I be like__________________?”
It’s not unusual for us to experience self-doubt or dissatisfaction with who
we are or the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Whitney Houston sang that learning to love yourself is the “greatest love of all.”
It can also be the hardest.
Sure, there are days when it’s tough being in your own skin.
But you can learn to love who you are, just as you are.
Here are 10 tips to help you feel better about yourself:
1. Touch Base
Get in touch with your values and beliefs.
Write them down, then question their origin, reason, logic, and so forth.
2.. Take Care of Your Body
Exercise, keep fit, eat well, and do little things to make you feel good about
your appearance.
It’s not good to obsess over how you look; just do something regularly that makes
you feel attractive, whether it’s a new hairdo or just painting your nails.
3. Practice Positive Self-talk
Learn to recognize negative, self-abasing thought patterns and re-wire them into
This may take some therapy or counseling, but it’s worth it to learn how to confront
those inaccuracies and replace them with the truth about yourself.
4. Meditate and Pray
Meditation and prayer are wonderful ways to get inside your own mind and learn
to love it.
When you meditate, you are spending time alone while being quiet.
Meditation helps you learn about your inner self.
5. Be Alone with Yourself
And speaking of spending time alone, do so!
Even if you are not meditating, take some time just to be by yourself.
Plan a day with yourself as you would a good friend.
6. Keep a Journal
Writing in a journal is a good way to spend your alone time.
Put your own thoughts and feelings onto paper.
Read them each day.
You may find yourself pleased with your insights.
You will certainly get to know yourself this way.
7. Define Yourself
Describe who you are when you are writing in your journal.
How would you describe your personality?
Maybe start with a simple list of things you like and dislike and then gradually
move into descriptions of more complex character traits.
8.Let Go
Accept that there are some things you can’t control.
You can’t control your body type; you can’t control what talents you have or
don’t have.
Let it go and realize that everyone of every level has value.
9. Unplug
Cut back on your media time.
Looking at “perfect” people in magazines, movies and television will only make you
more insecure.
Such images are a false reality.
Limit your exposure to such things and you will find your self-esteem improving.
10. Get a Pet
If you don’t have a pet, get one!
The way pets offer unconditional love really helps a pet owner to love him or herself.
Taking care of an animal will give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Now, it’s up to you!
Of course, there will be days when it’s tough being in your own skin.
But you can learn to love who you are, just as you are.
Embrace some these suggestions.
Integrate them into your life.
Practice forgiveness.
Be kind to yourself.
Love yourself fiercely.
Face the world fearlessly.
Just smile and “Do You”!
Have you ever had trouble loving who you are?
How did you overcome it?
What suggestions would add you to this list?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
“Shared at The Weekend Retreat”
Pinning this to our Mostly Homemade Mondays board! Thanks for linking up this week.
Thank you Kelli! I appreciate that!
Love this post! It’s something I have struggled with on and off in the past and am just now starting to love the skin I’m in (so to speak). These are really good tips, I wish I would have seen them during my rough spots, but it’s a good refresher.
I love this one: 10. Get a Pet
YES!!!! I was having a *really* rough time in the fall and I finally convinced my husband to let me get a dog and I felt an immediate change. 8 months later and I am back to my happy, healthy, fun-loving self =)
Do you have a pet Deborah?
Thanks Kimmy!
I am glad you found a useful nugget from this post. I don’t have a pet, but I often fantasize about getting a dog. Maybe one day! I guess you could call my hubby, my pet. (smile)