Think about your friends and your boyfriend/girlfriend. Ask yourself: What should a healthy relationship provide for the people in it?
Surround yourself with people who inspire you to smile. People who help you up when you’re down. People who would never take advantage of you. People who are honest and genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life.
As you grow older, be mindful to be less reactive and dependent on the behaviour and thoughts of others – it’s more important to set your own standards for yourself.
If you are used to telling yourself that you’re ugly, that you are destined to fail, and that you’re not capable of performing in the world without someone holding your hand, then you will accept and feel most comfortable in relationships with people who reinforce these same negative beliefs.
The more you become your real self, the more you find that place inside you that is really about who you are, the more comfortable you’re going to feel in listening to yourself.
Practice your expressions in the mirror. If you make a sour face when talking to others, you’ll often get this back. Try a genuine smile instead, and see the difference.
Never let pride get in the way of telling the truth. It’s more important that people can deal with the situation rather than blame others for shortcomings.
Finding it hard to talk about how you are really feeling? Samaritans is a safe place to turn; it’s anonymous and confidential: 08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org .
Get past it instead of getting even: “Revenge” isn’t “Winning”. Gandhi said: “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.