How To Build Confidence & Improve Self Image Naturally

Acquiring a Positive Self-image

Self-image is the way we see and feel about ourselves. It is also the image we create in our minds about how people see, feel and think about us though this may really be different from how they really see us. This self-image can be positive or negative.

The need for a positive self-image

The way we see ourselves is of uttermost importance because of the impact it has on our moods, relationships, and every other aspect of our lives. Having a positive self-image is a way of proving that we are confident in ourselves.

Symptoms of a negative self-image

A negative self-image is like a sickness, it really sucks. It manifests itself in the following ways:

• Unhealthy thoughts about one’s self
• Excessive focus on personal problems
• Isolation
• Ignoring one’s positive attributes
• Seeing yourself less than others

Causes of a negative self-image

Some causes of a negative self-image are:

• Unhappy childhood (having an embarrassing memory of one’s early years or even coming from a broken home) has its own way of playing on a person’s self-image thereby making the person psychologically unwell.
• Abuse, whether emotional or physical makes people feel they are less deserving
• Poor performance (academically or otherwise) can get a person thinking ‘can’t I do anything right?’
• Personal issues (financial constraints, a breakup or death of a loved one)
• Medical conditions such as anxiety disorder and depression.

The way out

A negative self-image can be easily trashed and sent running out the door though this may take a little time. To successfully fight a poor self-image, the following steps are necessary

Accept that you are human

Being human means you are not perfect and it is definitely okay to make a mistake. Don’t kill yourself over a mistake you made. Learn to laugh at yourself. When you do, you won’t feel too offended when others laugh at you. The people you consider better than you also make mistakes, they do not over-worry about their mistakes. Don’t be tempted to feel your own mistakes are always messier than others because that’s not true. Those mistakes don’t define you; they only give you directions on how to be a better person. Accept the lessons and move on with your life.

Forgive yourself

Almost everyone has something messy about their past. Maybe you made mistakes that can never be corrected or you said things that were super-hurting to others. Forgive yourself and try not to do them again. If God can forgive you (which I am sure He has if you are truly sorry), why can’t you also forgive yourself? Forgive yourself; it is the only way you can break out of the prison of self-condemnation.

Forgive others

Holding unto a grudge and hurt is like being in prison for a crime another person’s crime. Letting go of past hurts and forgiving everyone involved is a great step to achieving an emotional and mental freedom. Let them go and never ever look back at them again.

Stop comparing yourself with others

The fact that things are not working out for you like they are for others does not mean they never will. Things take time and everyone has his own timeline. Your time will come and you will get all you have been searching for. You are not them and they are not you so, enjoy being you.

Speak positively to yourself

The way you speak to yourself determines the way you feel about yourself. The more you say a thing, the more it becomes a part of you. Instead of speaking negatively about yourself, look into the mirror every morning and speak life into yourself. Tell yourself you are beautiful, that you deserve good things, you’re strong and you are adored. The more you say these things, the more they become a part of you and the more you’ll start believing them.

Ponder on your positive attributes

You have things that make you stand out from the crowd.  Make a list of those things and spend your time thinking about them. The more you think about those things, the more you’ll appreciate them and the more you’ll work on bringing them out.

Dress up and look nice

There is a popular saying “the way you dress is the way you will be addressed”. After undergoing the previous steps, you are definitely ready to take the bold step and run your life right way. You should be able to say with your dressing, hey, I’m done with the mediocrity so I won’t be taking any more pity from you.

Have fun

You wasted so much time on negativity; it is advised that you also take out an ample amount of time to enjoy those things you missed when you were still wondering in the valley of the shadow of self-condemnation.

When you look in the mirror, the person you should see is the person you first adore and believe in. if you don’t love yourself, no one else will and if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else can.

Believe in yourself, and you will forever be glad you did.