As human beings, we often look for some kind of acceptance and approval from other people.
We want others to like us, to compliment us.
We want to please our family, friends, partner, our teachers/bosses and sometimes people we don't even know!
But what about us? What about our inner self?
It's often pushed away, forgotten.
We occupy ourselves with other people's opinions and words, that we don't take time to listen to our inner voice.
We're so busy with our everyday life and tasks that we forget to take some time to unwind.
How you can be your own best friend:
1. Support and compliment yourself like you would someone you love
A lot of times we are so quick to share kind words like "I love your hair" or "You look amazing in that dress" or "You are so hard working, I admire you" but how often we tell things like that to ourselves? Not only we don't compliment ourselves enough, but we tend to have negative thoughts like "My hair is a mess today", "I look too fat/skinny in this outfit" or "I'm not ______ enough".
Try talking to yourself like you would to a person you care about because that's exactly how you want to treat yourself, like someone you love and cherish. Don't be afraid to compliment yourself! So next time you look in the mirror, make sure you put a smile on and say something nice.
2. Have fun
When was the last time you did something for fun? Something you really enjoy, that makes you laugh, that makes your heart happy and brings back your inner child.
As adults, it's expected from us to be serious, not to fool around acting immature. But I say, screw that! If I want to jump in a puddle of mud, who's going to stop me? :D
3. Put your dreams and goals first
For me, this one is the hardest. I am one of those people who's parents sacrificed a lot for their kids and now they have some expectations of how our life should be. And my brothers fit into those expectations quite well, but me - not at all. I was always different from the rest of my family members and I could not embrace that fully, express myself and dream big because I was always in some way "shut down" and served this socially acceptable life.
Be grateful for everything that your family and friends did for you, love them, take care of them, support them, help them BUT realize that your dreams, goals and LIFE is YOURS! You deserve to live the life to your full potential, you deserve to express yourself and your uniqueness. The only thing you own to anyone and to yourself is to BE YOU. Raw, uncut, uncensored. Just the way you are. There's nothing more important and valuable you can give to others and to this world.
4. Have some "me" time
I've already mentioned this a couple of times, because I think it's very important. Always make sure that you take some time to spend with yourself doing what you enjoy, relaxing and slowing down. This will clear out your mind and charge your batteries.
I recommend you to do this in the morning or evening (both would be ideal), even if it's 15 minutes, it will change your day and mindset, I guarantee!
5. Take yourself on a date
Okay, I have to be honest and say that I never did this but I definitely will! I'm gonna dress up nicely, put some makeup on, go to a coffee shop, get me some fresh coffee and a cookie (or two), read a book or journal or just look outside the window. I'm gonna enjoy in that "me, myself and I" vibe.
This is a great way to get over that "what other people might think about me" that we all struggle with, more or less. Let them think, let them guess, let them wonder. You do you!
