In this world we are surrounded by people who will inevitably judge us, and of course we want to make good impressions all around. Sometimes this leads us to be ashamed of aspects of ourselves, but it is important to realize that both our wins and epic fails make us better every day as we learn and grow. Loving ourselves, after all, is the key to leading a fulfilling life.
Self-Care
We all need a little “me time” for rest and relaxation. Do not feel selfish in taking some time for self-care. If we never take some time to care for and check in with ourselves, even if it’s just an extra five minutes in the shower, we would totally burn out! Do whatever it is you need to do to refresh your soul and mind. Everyone needs time for self-care, and you’ve earned it, too. When people say you can’t keep caring for everyone if you don’t take care of you, they aren’t kidding.
Saying No
Some people have a harder time than others at saying “no” to requests from colleagues, friends, and family members. I know it took me a long time to feel okay with saying no and acknowledging that I can’t do everything for everyone or else I’d lose my marbles and drain all my energy. Being able to tell people no is a form of self-care. This doesn’t mean you are being selfish or do not care about the person, and people will understand this. Declining a request just means that your life is full of enough need-to-do’s and you can’t reasonably take on more responsibility. Channel your inner Elizabeth Swann and simply say, “I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.”
The Past
There are plenty of people who fantasize about going back in time to those little embarrassing moments in their lives and rewriting history. Very few of us have a past that we feel totally proud of. We make mistakes and misjudgements, but that’s okay! Do not be ashamed of your past. Embrace it as part of who you are. After all, without mistakes we would never learn and become better. Your past is proof of what you have endured and overcome.
Optimism
Some people find optimism to be a bit annoying, but people who are optimistic are honestly far healthier than people who tend towards pessimism. Don’t be swayed by those who dare to complain about your positive viewpoints! Negative people have a hard time being happy for others’ positivity, and that is in no way on you. Positive thinking helps you be resilient when tough times roll around, and that’s totally a good thing. Not to mention, there are plenty of people who could use a dose of optimism in their lives. Stay positive for them, too.
Being Forgiving
It can be easy to feel like forgiving means forgetting, but forgiveness isn’t so much about letting the other person off the hook as it is about helping yourself. Forgiving others lifts a huge burden of negativity off of your soul. Forgiveness allows you to move forward in life and shows the person who hurt you that they do not have power over your happiness. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness, free of any shame.
This world full of people can push us to feel shame and make us second-guess our choices, but we must stay strong and be proud of who we are, and who we are becoming. Know that you and the decisions you make are good enough.There are so many things about us that some people may never approve of, and that’s okay. If we can find it in our hearts to love all of who we are, with no shame at all, we can lead gleeful, beautiful lives. Wake up each day beaming with pride. Never be ashamed of who you are or what you need to do to be happy and healthy.
