Accept Yourself
It's easier to talk about what we prefer to look like, what we want to accomplish, or what job would suit us better, rather than feel content about what is present in our lives now. We tend to talk about how life would be easier if only we had something better. Accepting ourselves and our life as it is currently is a hard thing to do. However, reaching goals and making change in your life becomes easier if you can accept yourself and your situation now.
We find it hard to accept ourselves because others shape how we see ourselves. As soon as we come into the world, our caregivers strongly influence who we become. They shape us, or at least our perception of ourselves, from the moment we're born.
The parents we interact with and friends we make along the way significantly influence our lives and how we feel about ourselves. Sometimes we don't even realize that others are affecting us.
We won't always agree with what others think we are, but the opinions that others have of us matter. They can cause us to think negatively about ourselves. When we go to school, others judge our worth on academic performance rather than on our passion or personality. As a result, we might develop a negative view of ourselves. This process can make us feel inferior or depressed, especially when others seem more successful.
It's important to remember that others have the right to form their own opinions of us. But that does not mean their views are necessarily accurate; everyone’s journey in life is different. Others may have opinions, but they are not you! How do they really know who you should be or what you should do? No one in this world knows you better than yourself.
So, What Can You Do About It?
See yourself as a work-in-progress. We are all growing and learning, and that's okay. Don't let it keep you from going forward if you make a mistake. Realizing that you're a work-in-progress rather than a perfect being will give you the motivation you need to keep trying no matter what. One thing you can do is edit your choice of words to reflect this. Changing your language this way lets you feel that there's a possibility to change.
Be compassionate with yourself. As humans, we are flawed. It's essential to know our flaws so that we don't beat ourselves up over them. If you need help accepting yourself, look at yourself through someone else's eyes. Talk to yourself as if you were talking to a friend. Take a pen and paper and write down how you intend to help yourself. These things can help you focus on your positive qualities.
Talk to your friends. If you tend to get down on yourself, join forces with someone else who suffers the same way. But be careful that you don’t complain about your lives together. Make a commitment to help each other point out when one of you is doubting themselves or talking negatively about themselves. Challenge each other to talk and think more positively and cheer each other on with goals and ideas.
We don't always notice how others influence us. It's too easy to forget the power that others can have over our lives if we let them. So, make it a point to be compassionate with yourself, see yourself as a work-in-progress, and encourage yourself to be positive. Soon, you’ll notice that you have a much higher regard for yourself!