One of the most challenging aspects of living is loving and respecting yourself. How many times have you felt you let yourself down over the years?
It is so easy to focus on the negative that you forget all the beautiful things you have done in your life. But unfortunately, the more you shift toward what is going wrong, the more you lose the ability to love yourself.
Every good thing has a starting point. So make today the day you start honestly looking at yourself. Everyone has good qualities, even if they have done bad things.
By focusing on what is right, you can begin loving yourself even if you feel otherwise.
What follows are three simple tips to get you started. Remember that this journey will take some time, so be patient and start with the following realization.
You are Not Perfect
Of course, no one is perfect. Even when you have the best intentions and try your hardest, it does not mean you will always succeed.
However, by understanding that you are not perfect, you are providing permission to forgive yourself. You cannot move forward until you can start with a blank slate.
The past is exactly that, the past. You can only make it part of your present by allowing it to become so. Put the past in the past by forgiving yourself, and then you can begin the journey to move forward.
Of course, you are still going to make mistakes. But at least you can forgive yourself sooner and put them in the rearview mirror.
Listen to the Small Voice
Everyone has that little voice inside that tells them if their actions are the right choice. So if you face any morally ambiguous situation, listen to that little voice to guide you to the right decision.
Of course, not all decisions involve our moral compass. But every decision does affect what we think is right. And that little voice should be listened to but not always obeyed.
For example, a decision that takes you outside your comfort zone, such as starting a new business, may have that little voice telling you to be cautious. Yet, in those times, you should be brave and try new things when the benefits are great.
Give Yourself Time
Time is your greatest friend when you start the journey to love yourself. You have to give it time for your feelings to change. But unfortunately, there are no overnight success stories. So the best idea is to take it one day at a time.
It’s going to take time. But it will also be built upon your good deeds and actions.
By putting the past in its place. By recognizing that you are not perfect and by making the best-informed decisions, you can start the process of loving yourself.
