Imagine you’re invited to a party and you are all dressed up for the event. Before leaving the house, you check yourself in the mirror for one last time. What are your thoughts?
Do you like what you see? Or do you think your waist could be narrower or your eyes a bit bigger?
If you think the latter, you may have some self-image issues.
Worry not! It’s not a deadly disease, nor it is something very uncommon. In fact, the majority of us, especially ladies, are quite conscious about how we look and how others perceive us.
However, if left unattended, self-image issues can gradually mar your entire personality. So, it’s important to nip them in the bud.
In this article, I’ll talk about the importance of self-image and what you can do to love yourself more.
So, let’s get started!
Self-Image: What can you do to improve?
Let’s face it: You’re not going to change any aspect of your life if you don’t improve your self-image.
People will never take you seriously if you don’t consider yourself seriously.
So, if you wish to change your life, you must develop a positive self-image. While it may sound difficult, it is actually quite simple to do so.
Here’s how you can improve your image in your own eyes:
1. Wake up to something you love
Remember, how you start your day affects your mood as well as your entire day. So, it is best to begin your day by waking up to something you love.
Use an alarm that wakes you up to music or a specific song you love, or even the voice of a loved one. Take a refreshing shower with your favorite bath products. Eat a healthy breakfast. Tell yourself out loud, “Today will be a wonderful day!”
2. Focus on your strengths, not flaws
Nobody is perfect. Not even Angelina Jolie (my girl crush!). We all have flaws which make us unique. If everybody was to be perfect, don’t you think we all would have been the same? How boring!
So, embrace your flaws and focus on your strengths. You may not have the perfect pout but you certainly have the heart of gold, my friend!
Look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I’m beautiful. I accept myself the way I am.”
Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Try to be the best version of yourself. Respect yourself by taking care of the body you were born with. Exercise regularly, eat well and meditate. Focus on your physical as well as emotional health.
3. Be kind -to yourself and to others
Imagine someone scolding another person in front of you and calling him/her bad names. Would you not feel bad for the person being scolded?
So, why do you allow your mind to do the same to you?
Stop being harsh to yourself and learn to be kind. Forgive your failures and learn how to grow stronger.
When you face a problem or fail at a task, do not think about what others will think of you. Instead, focus on your own thoughts. Roll your sleeves up and dig into the problem. You’ll either get success or learn a lesson.
Be kind to yourself as well as to others. If you want to be appreciated, you’ll have to learn how to appreciate the people around you.
Give compliments to others and treat them kindly. It will make you feel even better about yourself.
4. Smile more often
Imagine you are dining at a restaurant and the waiter who is serving you has a frown on his face all the time. How do you feel? Would you feel comfortable? I guess you’d say a big NO!
That’s because a smile has the power to transform your mood and the mood of the people around you. It spreads positivity and makes the people surrounding you feel welcomed and not afraid to approach you. It opens the gates of the hearts and eases the process of communication.
So, smile more often! Stretch those lips as wide as you can. It’ll not only brighten your mood but will also give your face a quick exercise.
Key Takeaway
The first step to improving your self-image is to respect and accept who you are.
You’re not a failure just because you haven’t achieved all that you wanted or you don’t look like your favorite celeb. Learn to appreciate yourself and the journey you’ve taken to become who you are now.
Remember, life is not a sprint race and you need to learn to appreciate the journey rather than worry about your access to the finish line. You are in a serious, lifelong relationship with yourself. So, make sure you know how to get along with yourself and be the best partner you can ever get.