Be a Friend to Yourself
- Kari Shea
- Nov 15, 2023
- 2 min read
We often focus on building and strengthening relationships with others that we end up forgetting the essential first step: having a good relationship with ourselves. It's a misstep that can lead us to feel lonely, restless and dissatisfied even when things are going well for us, and something that can even prevent us from living authentically. To cultivate a better relationship with yourself, here are some things that you can consider:
Checkout the relationship with yourself. Spend time to take a personal journey to discover how you honestly feel about you. Remember, this isn't about judging or evaluating you as the "perfect being". Here are a couple of questions to assist in your self-exploration. Is something holding you back from your past? Do you spend a significant amount of time comparing yourself and/or your achievements to others? The saying that "you are your own worst critic" is common for a reason, and recognizing when this happens gives you a better perspective of our relationship with yourself.
Learn to forgive and to accept. If you've said yes to any of the items in #1, then the next thing to do is to learn how to forgive yourself for things that have already happened and to accept the things that are out of your hands. While it can be challenging, know that it's much easier to forgive and accept others when you're capable of doing it to yourself. Forgive to have peace within.
Focus on your strengths. Instead of critiquing your weaknesses, pay attention on recognizing and honing your strengths. Everyone has their own set of strengths that result in a combination of skills and knowledge which makes them unique. Identify your own strength and build your life around them.
Be your #1 fan. Celebrate your successes, cheer yourself up when you're down, and reward yourself with the little things that bring you joy. Remember, if it's something that yo can do for a friend, then you should be able to do it for yourself. Track your success by journaling. I use "The Five Minute Journal" and love it! Visit their website and try it out for yourself.
Be true to yourself. If you don't like people who are late and you tend to do the same, you're giving yourself a reason to not like you! Recognize what you like and don't like. Don't be afraid to say it and, if it's something that you're guilty of, identify it and change it. It's much easier to be a friend to yourself when you're honest.
