Despite what you may think, the relationships with your friends, family members, and romantic partners are much less important than the special relationship you have with yourself. The way you treat and think about yourself directly impacts your mental and emotional well-being.
When you love and respect yourself, it becomes visible in every aspect of your life and you’ll radiate a sense of confidence that many yearn to have. You’ll attract more positive people, better opportunities, and find success in accomplishing your dreams and goals.
If you’re caught in the vicious cycle of negative self-talk and self-loathing, there are several things you can start doing to rebuild a positive relationship with yourself. There’s never been a better time to start.
Recognize negative self-talk
The first step is always recognizing your negative patterns. Once you’re able to identify the negative thoughts that you may have about yourself, you can actually retrain the way you think. When the guiding voice inside of your head drifts in a direction that’s negative or self-loathing, try your best to redirect the harmful narrative by replacing it with a positive thought.
If a negative piece of criticism comes to mind, replace it with a compliment or think about what you like most about yourself. Once you start doing this regularly, those negative thoughts will occur less and less.
Spend quality time with yourself
Life can be hectic and it’s easy to get caught up in the needs and wants of others. It’s important to reflect upon what makes you happy and try to incorporate more of it into your everyday life. Instead of going out with your friends every night, plan a solo date for yourself. Put on some comfortable clothing, order your favorite meal, and binge-watch that one television show that always makes you laugh. Going on a trip by yourself is also a great (and relaxing) way to reconnect with your happiness and priorities.
Be kinder to others
When you approach others with kindness and compassion, it tends to overflow into your own life. Instead of being judgmental towards coworkers, friends, or family, practice kindness. Judgmental thoughts usually come from insecurities so minimizing these negative thoughts will help build your own confidence back up.
Don’t forget about self-care
Self-care is the process of taking care of your own mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Self-care really looks different for everyone. For some people, a long run in the forest helps them reconnect with themselves, whereas others might choose to take a nap or have a bath. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to self-care.
Surround yourself with good people
Spending time with folks who share the same goals as you is an easy way to stay motivated and on track. It’s important to hang out with your friends and family members who bring out the best in you and not those who leave you feeling insecure or anxious. Life is simply too short to spend it with toxic people.
