How critical are you of yourself? How often do you catch yourself putting yourself down, saying horrible things about yourself, or even actively calling yourself bad names in front of others? How often do you wish you were someone else, or a better version of yourself, or downright hate who you are right now in your life?
The truth is, so many of us feel this way about ourselves, and the chances are you spend so much of your life criticising and being far too harsh on yourself when in fact, you’re right where you need to be on your journey. By being able to accept yourself by being kind to yourself, you can start to grow. Being constantly blunt to yourself will only shatter your self-confidence and keep you stunted where you are right.
So, how do you be kinder to yourself? In today’s guide, we’re going to explore some of the best techniques you need to know.
Have Actual You Time
How much of your life do you actually spend with yourself? Like genuinely having time where you do the things you enjoy for no other reason than you actually enjoy it, and that thing makes you happy. With general life and the expectations of others playing in our minds, the chances are you do this little of the time.
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, whether you’re writing stories, playing an instrument, being creative, going for a walk, playing video games, listening to music, cooking food, or anything in-between, do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. This is one of the best ways to love yourself.
Focus on Your Strengths
Every single human being has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important that you acknowledge both. Many of us focus on how bad we are at something and ask why we can’t get better at the things we can’t do, but this is such a self-restricting way to look at life.
Instead, focus on your strengths and lean into what you’re good at and what you do best in life. Maximise your opportunities where you can lean into what you’re good at. At the same time, make sure you’re doing what you can to minimise the impact that your weaknesses can have on you. For example, if you’re not good around people, acknowledge this and aim to focus mostly on intimate connections with a small group of people.
Don’t Settle. Never Settle.
You deserve the world, and if you’re going out to make things happen, then you can go all the way. Some of the biggest obstacles many people have in their lives, especially when it comes to their relationships or life goals. People believe they aren’t capable, so take what they can get without aiming for more. For some reason, they’re scared or believe themselves to be incapable of achieving more and therefore settle for whatever they have now.
Do this, and you’ll look back on time gone past, and you’ll be full of regret if you realise that you could have done more. Push yourself. See how far you can go. It’s what you’d recommend to anyone you love, so recommend it to yourself.
Forgive Yourself
Everybody makes mistakes. You’re a human being. It’s human nature. You literally cannot get everything right. If you hold onto the things you do wrong and believe you could have done things differently, instead of being bitter towards yourself, make sure you’re taking a moment to learn whatever lesson you need to learn on what you can do better next time and then do that.
The past is gone. The mistakes you’ve made are gone. Just take these lessons as opportunities to grow and become a better individual. Forgive yourself, and don’t be so harsh. Everyone is in the same position.
Be the Main Character of Your Own Story
When you watch any movie, you’ll notice how the main character is always in a bad place to start off with, but the story is all about them overcoming their obstacles and being a better version of themselves at the end of it. This is why we root for the heroes of the movies.
When you start treating yourself as the main character of your own movie, then you start having a lot more insight and compassion for your own story. You’re on a journey, and yes, there will be hard times and obstacles, but you can overcome them.