3 Effective Actions to Boost Your Self-Esteem
You might not know how to love yourself if you aren’t in the habit of doing so. It is the same thing to love yourself as it is to love others, and it originates from a genuine sense of caring and compassion. We like others and believe they bring something to the table in terms of relationships.
We may care for and even like others, but we love and nurture those with whom we have close bonds too. No relationship should be more important than your relationship with yourself. So, how do you properly love yourself?
Here are three actions you can take that will help you love yourself more and express that love more easily:
Forgive Yourself- Forgiveness is an important concept. Before we can forgive, we must first develop a gracious heart that desires change and acceptance. We are taught that you can forgive someone without accepting what they did to offend you, so forgiving others is sometimes easier than forgiving yourself. So, how do you forgive yourself while also forgiving the offender? It’s pretty simple if you use this exercise.
Begin by writing in a journal, meditating, or sitting in a quiet place. Please spend some time pondering what it is that you are upset about. Try to understand the why behind the behavior without defending what you did or what happened. Oprah Winfrey frequently quotes her mentor, Maya Angelou, who told her, “You do better when you know better.” As you reflect on your personal and intimate transgression, extend yourself the grace of forgiveness, knowing that you now know better and will do better in the future.
As time passes, repeat this process whenever you need to be honest with yourself and forgive yourself. Recognize where you went wrong and make a new commitment to yourself to do better.
Spoil Yourself- You feel love and spoil differently depending on your love language. Some people enjoy being told how much they are appreciated, while others enjoy receiving gifts and spending quality time together. Fill your cup by giving yourself what you want in the way you want. Schedule regular massages, mani-pedis, and other spa favorites if you enjoy being pampered. If you appreciate quality time, sit down in a comfortable place with a large bag of popcorn and some candy to watch your favorite shows on Netflix. Spoil yourself in a positive way that will not hurt your wallet.
Be your hero- Being your own hero and honoring yourself is an act of self-love, just like spoiling yourself. Healthy heart guarding and setting boundaries that respect your time and space are both important ways to honor yourself. In the same way, dysfunction looks to others to validate our worthiness. People who are highly functioning are aware that they deserve to be cherished and respected.
Knowing what you stand for, your boundaries, and enforcing these standards is simpler than you might think. Someone will cross your boundaries at some point, and they may even tell you that your boundaries are incorrect or that you are being selfish. Hold firm to your limits, honor your standards, and love yourself – even if others disagree.
These three exercises are excellent ways to bring more love into your life. Being the most loving person you can be to yourself allows you to love others with a healthy heart, mind, and body.
