Often, we can be our own worst enemy when it comes to our self-confidence and happiness.
Our minds constantly evaluate factors such as our appearance, the number of likes on a photo, whether someone likes us back or not, and so on.
It’s no wonder that many people feel stressed, anxious and unhappy with their lives until they take a step back from all these thoughts and focus on being kinder to themselves instead. We’re our own harshest critics at times.
Self-criticism creates a negative stream of thoughts about yourself that leaves you feeling bad about who you are as a person. When you engage in negative self-talk, you tend to focus on your flaws rather than your strengths.
Stop Missing Doctor’s Appointments
Do not skip ahead!
Consider this a friendly reminder. Go to that dentist appointment you keep postponing. Get your blood tested and do a routine check-up with a trusted doctor.
Such appointments could identify critical differences in your body that may be the difference between life and death. Self-care starts with internal health.
Practice Self-Care Behaviors
What do you do when you’re not feeling your best?
You likely don’t want to do the same things you normally do in those moments. For example, if you’re stressed out and feeling overwhelmed, you probably don’t feel like going to the gym. Instead, try doing things that are self-care behaviours. These activities help you feel calm, relaxed, and in control of your emotions.
Some examples of self-care behaviours include meditating, journaling, reading, taking a walk, cuddling with your pet, making art, and spending time with friends.
Change The Way You Talk To Yourself
If you’re used to engaging in negative self-talk, you’re likely talking to yourself in a critical way. Try to catch yourself in the act of criticizing yourself and change it to something kinder.
For example, if you catch yourself saying, “I can’t believe I gained so much weight,” change the statement to something more kind, like, “I’m trying my best to eat healthily, but I’m human, and sometimes I fall off the healthy eating wagon.”
If you’ve been engaging in negative self-talk for a long time, changing the way you talk to yourself can be challenging. You might need the help of a therapist or positive self-talk books to get started.
Don’t Let Others Be Your Guide
We often compare ourselves to others and constantly ask ourselves why we aren’t as successful, as beautiful, as liked, or as something as the next person.
Instead of comparing yourself to others (and feeling bad about yourself because you don’t measure up), focus on following a path that is best for you. Know that you don’t have to be a certain way to be happy.
You Deserve Better
Changing the way you talk to yourself and being kinder to yourself can have a huge impact on your mental health. It can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve your self-confidence, and increase your happiness.
You deserve to be kind to yourself. You deserve to have high self-esteem. You deserve to feel confident in who you are as a person.