Want to build your confidence, self-esteem, and wellness? It all starts with self-love. Self-love is key to taking care of ourselves, because we tend to take better care of the things we love.
Self-love means accepting yourself exactly where you are in life at this moment, with compassion, love and understanding. It means talking to and treating yourself with the same respect and kindness that you would a good friend. You wouldn’t put down a good friend, right? Why should you put down yourself?
Seems simple, but sometimes loving ourselves doesn’t come easy. However, when you practice self-love, it is possible to grow your confidence, self-esteem and wellness. It will take time and practice to forgive your weaknesses and recognize your strengths, but the rewards can be big.
Try these tools to help you grow your self-love:
Daily Affirmations – Apps for Android or iPhone that can help set your intentions for cultivating good practices.
- Native American Daily Wisdom – inspiring quotes from tribal members
- ThinkUp – directory of positive affirmations
- Kwippy – sends random challenges throughout the day focused on positivity
- Shine – daily text messages with inspirational quotes, tips, and articles
- Smiling Mind – mindfulness meditation
- Saskatoon Insight Mediation Community – guided session that include tradition to create a community of inclusivity and belonging
Up Your Overall Wellness – The foods we eat, our sleep, friends, and exercise habits impact our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Try upping your wellness game to improve your self-love through:
- Eating healthy, well-balanced meals
- Engaging in healthy activities like exercising or meditating, Mindfulness Meditation.
- Getting plenty of sleep, Tips for Sleep.
- Giving yourself a break from toxic friends or social media
Finding Your Groove – You will accept and love yourself more, regardless of life’s up and downs, when you live with purpose. Your purpose does not have to be crystal clear to you. Speak with an Elder who can connect and guide you with traditional principles and values that promote wellness and mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional balance. If your intention is to live a meaningful and healthy life, you will make decisions that support this intention, and you will feel good about yourself when you succeed.
Practicing Non-judgement – The best way to shut down self-judgement is to treat your spirit with kindness and respect. The current situation is not a reflection of who you are. It’s just the situation you are in currently. Treat yourself like you would your best friend and cheer yourself on.
Additional Resources:
ReachOut Forums is a supportive, safe, and anonymous space to connect with other youth who have experienced and worked through self-confidence issues
