Being kind to others is a trait that comes naturally to many. Being kind to ourselves, on the other hand, isn’t always as easy.
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Many people say their biggest critic is the one inside their heads, but they don’t know how to change it. The thing is, being self-supportive takes practice. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when it comes to appreciating yourself.
1. Change how you perceive your feelings.
Rather than judge yourself for experiencing “negative” emotions, think of what you can learn from them. For example, getting to the root of why you’re angry can not only help you work toward fixing the problem, but teach you about your values.
2. Practice self-care.
One of the most basic aspects of self-love is taking care of yourself. Keep your body healthy with exercise and nutritious foods, and nurture your mind with calming practices, such as meditation.
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3. Stop striving for perfection.
There isn’t one person on Earth who is perfect. So it doesn’t make sense to hold ourselves to such an unattainable standard. What we should do instead is celebrate what makes us unique. That’s how we can start appreciating ourselves for who we are.
4. Treat yourself as you would a dear friend.
If you have a hard time being a friend to yourself, try picturing a friend in your position. How would you comfort them? How do you express love to them? Now try doing the same things for yourself.
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5. Accept your faults while always working toward being a better person.
As we said before, nobody is perfect. But beating yourself up for the qualities you don’t like doesn’t help anyone. Instead, figure out where you can improve and work on become a better version of yourself.
6. Repeat positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror.
Drown out that inner critic with statements like, “You are worthy”, “You are enough”, and “You deserve to be happy.”
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7. Celebrate your achievements.
When you accomplish a goal, be proud! Remember how hard you worked and that you made it happen.
8. Make a list of your good qualities and memorize it.
When you’re feeling down, remind yourself why you think you’re a good person. We all need a personal cheerleader from time to time, so why not be your own?
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9. Stick up for yourself.
Nothing kills your self-esteem more than letting people walk all over you. Hammer out your values and what’s important to you, then be true to yourself, no matter what.
10. Forgive yourself.
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone deserves forgiveness, including you. There’s no need to ruminate on what you could have done to change the past. Choose to learn from the experience, and focus on how you can improve yourself.
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Just remember: you are worthy of love and kindness, especially your own! Share this important reminder to help others love themselves, too!
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