People can often assume that having a good physical appearance will give them a healthy level of self-esteem, a common belief maybe that in order to experience a better level of self-esteem, you have to be successful to some degree.
Now what is your belief?
I believe that healthy self- esteem is about accepting yourself, however you look, feel or own.
Are you ok with your curves, kin, hair, attitude, lifestyle, comfortable being authentically you, warts and all?
Who are you comparing yourself to anyway?
Healthy self- esteem is celebrating your strengths and acknowledging anything you perceive as a weakness and accepting that you have the power to improve in any of those areas, if you so choose.
You owe it to yourself to be happy at whatever stage you are in your life, for nothing is forever. We are in a constant flow of change where Infinite possibilities surround us.
However, when all you perceive are the limitations you are focusing on in your life, nothing seems to change.
Self- loathing helps no one. The good news is, you can develop and improve your self- esteem with practice. Here are some tips to get you into a better mind-set.
Focus on the good stuff.
I am sure amongst all the self- doubt, there are windows of experiences when you are or did and can, feel good about yourself. Memories of times when you really felt you were in a good place.
What was it about that time that made you feel so good? Look back and remember. It doesn’t really matter how far you need to go back, look and learn, what made the difference.
- Who was around you?
- What were you doing?
- How were you doing, what you were doing?
- When did you do it?
- Where were you when you felt this way?
Now, look at what you did and create a happy space in your mind, animate those images with that feeling and imagine placing a frame around the memory:
- Hear what you heard
- See what you seen
- Feel how you felt
Inhale the fragrance of that time, taste the goodness in that memory.
Now, just as you would hang a picture on a wall, I want you to close your eyes and imagine for me if you will, hanging that animated memory up in your mind, somewhere you can see it, whenever you close your eyes, or are feeling less than you could be.
Remember to forget and forget to remember, the less than good times. Those memories will only slow you down.
Refresh but do not dwell too long, as where you are now is not where you were, you survived, you are a survivor.
So, what can you do right now?
Look at the colours you wear. Are they bright and cheery, or dull and lifeless, if so, get rid or brighten them up with colourful accessories?
Brighten up your wardrobe, get rid of clothes that are too small or too large.
De-clutter your living space, it helps you to de-clutter your mind.
Wear nice fragrances, eat tasty healthy nutritious food and listen to your favourite music.
Get out in nature as much as you are able. Walk, talk and stimulate your senses.
You are a sensory being after all.
When negative self- talk begins to build up, as soon as you become aware of it, ask yourself?
For what reasons am I punishing myself and let the rebel in you defy that dialogue.
Say this instead:
- I am capable of many things
- What I desire is achievable
- I am worthy of the outcome I desire
- I am where I need to be right now, but this is not my final destination
You are busy right now creating memories to look back on. You are the star in this, the story of your life.
You write the script. You are the director and producer.
You have the power deep inside to rise above any drama and create your own unique happy ending.
Start now, it is never too late. Create a life you don’t have to escape from.
Believe you can and you will, believe you can’t, and you won’t.
If it is meant to be it is down to me. This is my own personal mantra, I want to share with you.
So, Rise and shine my friend.
Rise and shine x
www.sonyahudson.com