The wise Carrie Bradshaw once said, “The most challenging, exciting, and significant relationship is the one you have with yourself.” And it’s so true. It’s important, as we navigate through this crazy thing called life, to love the person we spend the most time with: ourselves. Here are eight ways to improve your self-esteem.
Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health:
It all comes from within. Your relationship with yourself will naturally benefit from taking care of yourself. This kind of health is two-fold. To improve your self-esteem, you need to nurture both your mental health and physical health. The obvious ways are exercise and things like yoga, running, meditation, and strength training. But you also know when to take a mental health day. We all need moments of rest to quiet our heads and to breathe. You know when you’re hitting your breaking point and you’re okay and step back to relax and rejuvenate when you need to.
Use Social Media to Share, Not to Validate:
Social media is a blessing and a curse. It’s a great tool to share your life with others and to document your experiences. But it’s important to remember to share to connect with others, not to validate your actions or your lifestyle. When you have a healthy relationship with yourself, you don’t need to post on your social channels to prove something. You know not to give in to the pressures of social media and can enjoy the benefits while being authentic to yourself.
Practice Self-Care:
When you love someone, you want to care for them. The same logic is necessary to improve your self-esteem. Self-care can take many forms, like spa days, watching your favorite TV show, reading a good book, or getting a good night’s sleep. Whatever it means for you, you do it. To be in a good relationship with yourself, you need to love yourself. To love yourself, you need to take care of yourself.
Take of Your Finances:
Having a good relationship with yourself means all areas of your life, even your finances. When you’re educated about your finances and feel secure in your financial future, you’re going to be happier. You take the time to get to know your spending habits and don’t live a life where you’re afraid to look at your bank account. Being financially fit and secure is a great way to improve your self-esteem.
Value Alone Time:
You don’t need to be around someone every second of every day. In fact, you enjoy and value your time alone. Learning to be alone is key to having a good relationship with yourself. You spend the most time in your life with yourself, so learn to enjoy your own company. Read your favorite book, go shopping, or get coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Take the time to do the things you like to do simply for your own enjoyment.
Put Yourself First:
You understand the importance of priorities, but you also know when to put yourself first. The only person who truly knows what you need and what speaks to your heart is you. While this doesn’t mean disregarding your friends and family, it does mean that you know when to pencil yourself into your calendar or when to rid your life of toxic friendships. You’re not afraid to do what’s best for you because you know you’re going to do your best work and help others more when you are your best self.
Accept Your Flaws:
No one is perfect and you accept that. As you grow up and grow as a person, at some point everyone will come face to face with their flaws. You know not to be afraid of your flaws and to accept them. You know that your flaws and imperfections make you the person you are. Whether personal or physical, you embrace your uniqueness and use it to grow.
Stay True to Yourself:
At this point in your life, you know yourself. You know your likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. You trust your instincts and follow your heart. Negative external influences don’t sway your thoughts and actions. There will always be negative people and situations that will test your beliefs, but you stick true to who you are. You know to love yourself and the skin you’re in.
By Danielle Koban: Danielle is a freelance writer focused on career and wellness topics. Her work has been featured in Mavenly + Co., Elana Lyn, and Her Agenda. When she’s not writing, she can be found planning her upcoming wedding and hanging out with her German shepherd, Moose. To learn more about Danielle, visit www.danielledoolen.com.
