Self Image
Self-image is the way we perceive ourselves. Factors in your self image are your physical appearance, skills, values, personality, and principles. It can be hard to have a positive self-image, especially as a woman with the constant pressure and standards from society, social media, people around you, and even yourself.
Everyone has at least one thing they lack confidence in and that is ok. It’s totally normal to not love everything about you 24/7. But someone with a bad self-image is very often unhappy and/or unsatisfied. When you obsess over your image it can become problematic. It can cause persistent feelings of shame and stress, body dysmorphia, and even more seriously, anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. Some causes of a negative self-image can be from your childhood, events in your life,societal standards, your mental and physical health, and most prominently, social media. But don’t worry, there are ways to help you build up your self-image!
Celebrate Small Victories: Celebrating even the smallest of things like getting an A on an exam will make you feel accomplished with yourself.
Stop Comparing: Comparison is the number one killer. We can’t spend our whole lives comparing ourselves to someone we truly don’t know. The thing you praise about them is probably the thing they are most insecure about.
Stop Negative Self Talk: Be kind to yourself. When you fill your mind with such negative things you’ll start to believe them. Likewise if you fill your mind with positive things as simple as a little compliment to yourself, you will start to believe that and build your confidence.
Wear Cute Clothes: Getting out of your pajamas and putting on a cute outfit will truly do wonders. When you wear something cute, it’ll make you feel confident!
Spend Time With Those Who Will Uplift You: Surround yourself with people who build your self-image, not tear it down. When you spend time with others who have a positive self-image, it will rub off on you and build yours up as well. But when you spend time with those who have a negative one, you’ll start to think you should be insecure of things you have.
Exercise: Exercising has been proven to enhance your overall well-being. It is such a great coping mechanism when done properly.
Get Good Sleep: Getting good sleep is vital when it comes to feeling your best. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep is important. If you're running off 4 hours of sleep, you’ll be dragging the whole day and most likely not feeling your best.
Take Breaks From Social Media: Social media in recent years has become such a big part in day to day lives. So many women see these influencers with these great bodies and lives and wonder why they don’t look like that or why they don't have that. It’s another form of comparison and it’s just as bad. Those women you see online, it’s all fake! They will do anything just to appear better than you and show off. So take time off of social media and connect with yourself. Social media can be so draining.
Take Self Care Days: Self care days can be so refreshing and overall make you feel good. I always plan my self care days on Sundays as a little reset before the upcoming week. For self care days I do face masks, hair masks, everything shower, or even sometimes a bath. This helps me get rid of the icky feelings I sometimes get and makes me feel like a brand new person. On self care days, do something you love that is either physically or mentally good for you.
Self-image plays a big part in how we feel, and knowing how to boost it can be such a game changer! I love these methods and I hope you enjoy them as well.
Love, Always,
-Sophie
