Short messages on Confidence from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
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.
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 .
If someone compliments you, that doesn’t make you a better person. Your value remains unchanged, because it’s something that comes from within.
You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.
If you base your self-worth on how often people compliment and validate you, then you’re allowing others to decide how you feel about yourself.
You don’t need anyone’s approval. Just because someone isn’t happy with you doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. In many cases, it’s often that the person isn’t happy with themselves.
Being assertive is neither passive nor aggressive: you act and encourage others to be open and honest about their views, wishes and feelings, so that both parties act appropriately.
If something is troubling you, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All chats are completely confidential. You can reach them on 08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org .
Aggressive behaviour includes being loud and opinionated, dominating the conversation, often interrupting, and rarely listening. If they disagree with you, this is often done with sarcasm or a putdown.
When you blame others, you give away your power to get something fixed – so instead involve people to create something greater than the problem you are trying to solve.