When's the last time you sat down, took a few deep breaths and spent time reflecting about who YOU are?
How you see yourself is one of the biggest influences, if not the biggest influence, on the life you are creating.
Right now set a timer for three minutes and write down everything that comes to mind when you think about the question - Who am I?
Thinking about who I am and how I see myself at my core always reminds me of the lines from The Help by Katheryn Stockett,
“You is smart.
You is kind.
You is important.”
The scenes in the movie when these lines are spoken reflect how we allow our childhood and others to influence our self-image. Virtually everyone I know can recall something that was said repeatedly to them - about them from their childhood that they are still clinging to. Unfortunately it is often what you perceive as your flaws that you hold onto. It might be time to let them go.
These three simple lines show the complexity of self-image. Smart in comparison to what/who? Kind to self, to others, to the planet? Important to those you love, in terms of contributions to society -how and in what ways? Thinking about self-image is valuable when you can embrace a “Just as I am.” attitude.
Let go of comparisons, self-judgment, focusing on flaws and society's dominant dogma of who you should be. All of these can lead to anxiety and depression. Instead recognize you were born worthy; focus on your uniqueness; shift your language to “yet;” and; under promise and over produce, especially to yourself.
In the film The Shift , Wayne Dyer reminds the viewer that too often you measure your sense of self by what you do, what you have or what others think of you. Instead of recognizing you are best served by being who you want to be. Perhaps "Who do you want to be" is a more important question than “Who am I?” When you know who you want to be it is easier to act in alignment leading you to feel more in control and powerful.
How you speak to yourself is an indicator of your self-image and influences your self-esteem. Self-esteem is about efficacy, the confidence that you can, and self-respect the sense you are worthy and deserving. Embrace yourself inside and out. Language is powerful.
Self-image, self- esteem, self-worth are all subjective perceptions.
If “You is kind” - first and foremost be kind to yourself.
Credits:
Created with images by muratart - "Amazing sunset over the Salt Lake in Ankara" • MarekPhotoDesign.com - "antique leatherbound journal with decked edge handmade paper pages and a stylish pen on a rustic wooden table, journaling concept" • tortoon - "Young business woman hand with pencil writing on notebook. Woman" • pathdoc - "Attractive young woman drawing a picture portrait sketch of herself" • christianchan - "I Love Me Concept Wooden Cube Blocks" • Chinnapong - "Hands in love heart shape for friendship and saving water and ocean concept"