Feel Good About Who You Are

Feeling good about who you are is a difficult mindset to reach. Despite how the world is presented to us, confident and successful people are not the norm. Carefully curated social media posts, soundbites and sophisticated media training give the impression that most people don’t second guess themselves for a minute!

However this veneer doesn’t show the thoughts and feelings that are inside all of us and can sometimes lower our self-esteem.

There are many causes of low self-esteem. Some can come from work or home, such as stresses in the office or issues in a relationship. But others may have more deep-rooted issues that are directly linked to broader mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Having the ability to feel good about who you are is an incredibly potent tool when it comes to establishing a sense of wellbeing. If you feel comfortable in your own skin, the stresses and strains of daily life are much easier to face. So we have pulled together some tips and tricks to help you raise your self-esteem, perfect as we start heading back to work:

Get Moving!

This is of course easier said than done. Getting up and off the sofa, into sports gear and out of the house is a daunting process – especially when you’re feeling low and self-conscious. That is why we aren’t recommending an intense 15 mile run followed by an hour and a half in the gym. Instead, just getting out for a walk, experiencing some fresh air and connecting with nature can be enough to lift your spirits.

Evaluate Your Relationships

Sometimes a feeling of low self-esteem can have its roots in negative relationships. Whether it is bullying in the workplace, or strenuous relationships at home, our self-esteem can be profoundly affected by the unfavourable messages we receive from others. That is why taking a moment to evaluate our relationships with those around us is so important. Quite often, having the strength to remove yourself from negative situations is the first step to building good self-esteem.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Some people may be affected by negative relationships. But sometimes a lack of engagement with the positive relationships in your life may be the problem. In between working from home, social media and the constant deluge of news from around the world, it can be extremely difficult to nurture the healthy, positive relationships in our lives. Take advantage of the reopening of the country by putting your phone down and spending time with loved ones. Positive affirmations are key to feeling good about who you are.

Recognise Negative Thought Patterns

We are often unaware of the triggers that lead to us having low self-esteem. It could be an unfavourable number in your bank account, a co-worker who is always complaining, or a particularly stressful commute to the office. You can’t change certain situations, but you can change how you react to them and understand them. That starts with paying attention to what makes you feel sad or anxious. Once you have identified these thought patterns, it becomes much easier to establish a sense of self-worth and confidence.

Finally, it is always worth remembering that we all have a right to self-worth and high self-esteem. No matter who you are or what you do.

The return to work is quite a daunting prospect for us all, but hopefully we can all start to return to normality with our heads held high, feeling good about who we are.