With Valentine’s Day coming up in less than two weeks, so many of us are thinking of love… So I wanted to mention how important loving yourself is! Whether or not you have a significant other, you need to love yourself. This is definitely easier said than done and I know that from experience. It took me a long time to accept myself as I was and love what makes me, me. However, now that I do, I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin.
Thinking about what you like about yourself at least once a day can seem like a huge task, but is so worth it. It’s like an exercise for your mind and helps you strengthen your view of yourself, a little at a time. Journaling your thoughts might be the easiest way to make more concrete progress because actively writing down what you like about yourself really helps you absorb it better, but you can also just simply take a few minutes each day to reflect on these things. Start or end your day with a few minutes of dedicated time spent appreciating yourself.
Another thing you can do to learn to love yourself is to think kind thoughts as you go about your day. Each time you think something negative or put yourself down, correct yourself gently and replace that with something positive and kind. It takes practice but before you know it, it will become more of a habit! Becoming your own biggest cheerleader will pay off so much in the long run. Practicing positivity and kindness towards yourself will help you cheer yourself on and learn to rely on yourself the most!
First of all, I want you to remember that you are beautiful, and you are worth it.
Here are some questions to ask yourself
(Just do your best to answer each one):
- What are you most proud of? Think of things you have accomplished, whether you had set out to accomplish them or not.
- What do you like most about yourself? List any and all things you like about yourself. Even just one thing about yourself will be better than none!
- List three physical qualities you like about yourself. It could be something as simple as your eye color or something more complex, you decide!
- List three personality traits/characteristics you like about yourself. Again, list things that are simple if it helps. Anything you feel comfortable listing is the right answer. Just make sure you list all three!
- List three skills that you are proud to have. You have many skills, whether you can see that or not. Now is your chance to really think about what skills you have that are valuable to yourself or others.
- List three experiences or lessons learned that you feel have shaped you into the person you are today, in a positive way. We all have many experiences like this. It can be hard to see the positive that comes from them sometimes but they are there!
- What are three positive things that have happened recently?
- What are three negative things that have happened lately that you can put a positive spin on? Think about what positive things have come from negative happenings.
Also, here are some positive affirmations that might help you go about your day in a more positive and kind manner:
- I am strong and I am capable!
- I know I can do this!
- Just do your best. You don’t have to be perfect and as long as you’re doing your best, or striving to do your best, you will achieve so much!
- I am beautiful and I am worth it.
- I am lovable.
~Bonnie~
P.S. You can download a worksheet copy of these questions to fill in or print and answer later. Just click this link: Love Yourself as You Are.