How to be Kind to Yourself
Do you beat yourself up with negative self-talk? Do you feel emotionally unbalanced? These are signs of you being too hard on yourself. Step back for a minute and consider these tips on how to be kind to yourself. You’ll find they make a huge difference in your self-confidence and self-appreciation.
How to be Kind to Yourself
Practice Self-Forgiveness
Learn to forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes in life, and you’re no different. Learn to show yourself kindness.
Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
Take a moment of the day when things are quiet and peaceful to be grateful for your life. If you’re struggling to think of things, start small.
Write down what you’re thankful for:
- Your life
- Your home
- The food you ate today
- The people in your life
It doesn’t always come easy, but you’ll find that things naturally flow into your mind when you start.
Meditate and Contemplate
Spending time for yourself helps you reflect on your past and what you’re grateful for. Think of the actions you took that resulted in good outcomes or something that brings you joy. Contemplate where you want to go in life and ask yourself questions on how you can make it happen.
Take Better Care of Yourself
When you don’t take care of yourself, it’s a sign that you don’t value your life and place in the world. Keep up with personal hygiene and dress to impress. Invest in good clothing and keep your hair neat, even when no one is around – your subconscious mind always pays attention to your behavior.
Recognize Your Achievements
What have you achieved in your life that makes you feel proud of yourself? Like gratuity, start small if you can’t think of anything immediately. Even if it’s something as simple as graduating from school, start there and let the ideas flow into your mind.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
Talking to yourself isn’t a sign of madness. Everyone talks to themselves from time to time; it’s a natural therapeutic practice that benefits your psychology. Positive affirmations can help you to remove any negative thoughts.
Believe In Yourself
You can do anything you want in life. Sure, you might not get that yacht and an island home, but nothing stops you from believing in yourself. Self-belief builds your subconscious mind and pushes you towards making your dreams a reality.
Remember the saying “act as if.” By acting the part, your subconscious starts to believe what you say to yourself. What you think about yourself is real, and can manifest in your reality.
Don’t Worry About What You Can’t Control
There are many things in life that you can’t control. Don’t focus on the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” events and actions you didn’t take. Don’t worry about things outside of your control; there’s no benefit to it, and it leaves you feeling empty and frustrated in life. Take a stoic approach to life and focus on what you can control.
Respect Yourself, Accept Compliments, and Be Kind To Yourself
Don’t shy away from compliments. When someone talks you up, accept the praise. They’re proud of you and pleased to be your friend or family, so let them say good things about you. Reciprocate and complement the person, and you’ll feel good about yourself.
Additional Reading: How to forgive yourself: 5 ways to boost self-compassion
Blue Sky Counseling – Mental Health Counseling Omaha, NE
I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to talk with a mental health counselor in Omaha today.
