LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT YOU ARE!
Hello there! I hope this week finds you reminding yourself that you are amazing! I'm drinking Irish Breakfast tea this morning and thinking about the things I like about myself.
I recently saw a friend of mine and as I walked up to them in the restaurant, I said "you look great!" and their response was "I know, right?". And it weirdly gave me pause. I thought it was strange that they were agreeing with me. But they did look great, so why did it feel strange to me?
When I was growing up, it was considered socially unacceptable or strange to say things you liked about yourself. People who had good things to say about themselves were considered full of themselves or "big headed'. I'm smiling as I write this because I remember the meaningful glances people would give each other when someone in the room was talking about themselves in a positive way.
So why do we feel weird about it? Why when someone tells us that we look great do we respond with things like "Oh, you're kind. I haven't slept in a week!" or "Oh, this old dress? I've had it forever." or even "No YOU look great! I'm a garbage person who just crawled out of the sewers". Okay, the last one was for dramatic effect, but you take my point.
Why does it feel like we are breaking a social contract when we pump ourselves up? Because...we kind of are. In my experience, it is easier and more comfortable to say what you feel you need to work on or to point out where you are lacking. Like it or not, it's a way that we bond, especially as women. It's comforting to realize that we are not alone in our struggles or in feeling some kind of way about our appearance. We also don't want to appear like we think we are better than other people.
But here's the thing! We are all great. Yes, YOU ARE GREAT! So why not acknowledge and even celebrate it? I'm inviting you to flip the script and the next time someone says something great about you or compliments you, I want you to agree with them! We need to start training ourselves and each other to celebrate the things we like about ourselves. Because there will always be things we want to work on, but it's important to know that you are enough as you are. And it's so wonderful to sit with yourself and say "here are the things I like about myself" and then list them off.
And the next time you're hanging out with your friends, why not go around the group and each list something you like about yourselves? I guarantee that even though it might feel awkward at first, it will ultimately feel so good and you will cheer each other on! You could even circle around again and say something you like about each other. How uplifting!
If this resonates with you, grab a cup of tea and journal and list everything you like about yourself. Set a ten minute timer so that you don't give up after five seconds. Really sit with yourself and I guarantee there will be more than you think. Have fun with it and begin to celebrate wonderful you!
As always, I'd love to hear about it! Have you historically struggled with saying positive things about yourself? Have you found it easier to say what you don't like or what you need to work on? I'd also love to hear what you like about yourself and how it feels to pump yourself up. Let me know in the comments below!
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
