We live in an era ruled by social media. Insecurity is one of the biggest gifts of social media to mankind. Everyone wants that perfect selfie and perfect life while feeling hollow inside and envious of others’ lives. In a world that often emphasises external validation and comparison, it is crucial to recognise and celebrate the importance of self-appreciation. While acknowledging our achievements and qualities may seem simple, it is a practice that holds profound implications for our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.
First of all, let’s understand what self-appreciation is.
What is Self-Appreciation?
Self-appreciation is recognising and valuing your worth and accomplishments. It's the practice of embracing your strengths, being kind to yourself, and acknowledging your uniqueness. This positive outlook on yourself contributes to confidence and emotional well-being, forming the basis for a healthy and fulfilling relationship with who you are.
Research indicates that practising self-appreciation leads to positive transformations in both personal well-being and the surrounding world. By reducing self-criticism and cultivating self-love, you'll gradually adopt a new perspective towards yourself and your environment—one that values and appreciates the inherent worth in both.
As you consistently embrace self-appreciation, you'll find that your connections with others naturally get better. It's when you let go of judgment and negative self-talk that you can genuinely appreciate the worth of those around you.
Self-appreciation is an ongoing journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to your growth.
6 Ways of Practicing Self-Appreciation
Self-appreciation is a difficult task and you might be confused as to how to go about it. But don’t worry! That’s what I’m here for! Here are 5 ways you can practice self-appreciation and change your life for good:
Get Rid of Negative Thoughts
It can be a real challenge to recognize our own value when negative thoughts cloud the scene. Taking a moment to be aware of those times when we're being overly critical and harsh on ourselves is a game-changer. It's like turning on a light in the foggy maze of self-doubt.
It's important to take a step back and remind ourselves that these negative ideas do not define who we are whenever we discover ourselves engaging in this internal criticism. We are not our thoughts, and that's a pretty powerful realization.
Appreciate what you have
It's perfectly fine to find contentment in your current situation. Neglecting self-appreciation can result in a perpetual pursuit of goals. Whether you constantly measure yourself against others and strive to keep pace, or you sense societal expectations dictating your desires, failing to acknowledge your current blessings means not staying true to yourself. Make a list of the things in your life that you are proud of and that make you happy. Value these things.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
It’s tempting to compare our body, skin, career, life, etc with others on social media. However, all it does is increase our insecurity. We forget the fact that it’s easy to fake one’s life on social media.
Moreover, everyone’s life is different. Everyone has a different purpose in life. It doesn’t make any sense to compare your life with others. Your journey is unique. So stop comparing your life with others and appreciate the good aspects of your life.
Be Kind to Yourself
Often we tend to be very critical of ourselves. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back and treat yourself to something special after each significant achievement. It's a great way to acknowledge the progress you've made. Plus, these rewards can serve as motivation to achieve even more in the future.
Listen to Your Intuition
Sometimes our body and mind talk to us. This is known as intuition. It is important to pay attention to them when they say something doesn't feel right or that a decision is the right one.
Putting your needs, interests, and preferences first is a crucial component of self-appreciation.
Hype Yourself Up
You might not feel very strong or confident on certain days. You could make it a practice to give yourself encouraging pep talks to avoid performing poorly on such days.
You can even direct positive self-talk towards oneself. Simple statements like "I'm going to give it my all today," "My hard work will pay off," etc.
Positive self-talk and affirmations might help you get out of a rut when you're lost in self-loathing and self-doubt. Although it may sound absurd at first, affirmations help us believe in ourselves because our minds absorb the words we often hear.
Conclusion
Learning to appreciate yourself is a great way of boosting your self-esteem and confidence. Sometimes we need a cheerleader within us. All you need to do is peek inside, reflect and pat yourself on your back.
However, there’s a thin line between self-appreciation and toxic positivity. Appreciating yourself doesn’t mean that you can ignore your flaws and mistakes. Keep that in mind and you will see a significant change in your life.