We all deserve to be treated with understanding and respect. This is what we expect from others. But you should start with yourself! Oddly enough, quite often we behave (and talk) with ourselves in a way that we would never do with loved ones, friends and even acquaintances: mercilessly and critically.
Many people find it easier to admit their mistakes than their merits. And this is dangerous: low self-esteem creates the conditions for depression and anxiety disorders. Isn't it time to change your attitude for the better?
1. Consider reality
We cannot change what we do not notice. Self-observation is a necessary prerequisite to action. If we want to stop devaluing ourselves, we need to understand how we do it.
However, this voice is just an expression of low self-esteem. And it has to do with anything but reality. By learning to recognize and clearly evaluate these statements, you can change your attitude.
2. Talk about yourself with respect
Constantly belittling your talents and merits, talking down about yourself, avoiding any attention, cultivating modesty... This is a great way to maintain low self-esteem.
Therefore, start talking about yourself and your affairs, avoiding everything that paints you as a victim or a chronic loser. Accept compliments without making excuses or taking credit. Acknowledge the authorship of good ideas.
Congratulate yourself on your success. Watch the habit of thinking badly about yourself and tell such thoughts "lies!" whenever they arise. Suppress them with thoughts about your own favorable image.
3. Discover a star in yourself
Albert Einstein believed that everyone is a genius in their field. Singing, cooking, running, writing books, supporting others...
The more we become aware of our special talent, the more we express it - usually without difficulty, because it brings pleasure - and the inner zone of confidence expands. Determine what your true talent is and set aside time in your schedule to devote to it.
4. Forgive yourself
Everything that is written about forgiveness is usually about others first. But it is equally important to learn to forgive yourself. By doing this, we restore our value in our own eyes and feel more at ease in the eyes of others.
Remember an event that causes you regret. Bring it to life in memory with context, including place, time, surroundings, and your own feelings and state at the time.
Draw from this the necessary conclusions for the future, and then give yourself forgiveness from the bottom of your heart - as sincerely as you would forgive someone dear to you. You did what you could at the time, and there is no need to carry the burden of the past.
5. Help others
Feeling needed is very useful for boosting self-esteem. Take temporary responsibility for the well-being of those who find themselves in a difficult situation, work as a volunteer or share experience, transfer knowledge...
Especially if we do not minimize the value of our actions and do not act from the position of "loyal servant". Offer help, time and advice as an equal, simply and with dignity.
6. Do sports
A huge number of studies have confirmed the connection between self-esteem and exercise. Running, brisk walking, swimming, horse riding, ice skating, dancing, boxing... All this brings us back to the body and helps us feel fit and strong.
Not to mention the fact that sports regulate the emotional state and improve the quality of sleep. And then we feel better "in our own skin" and become more confident.
7. Value your essence
There are facts, results (mistakes and successes), circumstances, life events and there is something that is much deeper. There is a surface - and a depth. There is the "I" (temporary, incomplete, subject to the influence of circumstances), and there is the "Self": according to Carl Gustav Jung, it is the sum of all our private manifestations.
This is its value, therefore it should be cared for and respected. To despise, despise and devalue one's essence would be to mistreat one's human nature. Start listening to your needs, take an interest in your desires, respect them, and then those around you will respect them.
