by Elizabeth @ TeenagersWithExperience
Many labels exist in our world. They can range from the clubs we are a part of to the gender and sexuality we identify with. Some people may choose to conform to labels, others do not. Whilst there are some negative affiliations to do with labels and the stereotype they might bring, giving yourself labels could be a positive thing.
Take a little time every day to clear your thoughts, and it will be a lot easier to tame the fear-based voice that makes you feel bad about yourself.
You may not catch every self-critical thought, but with practise over time you’ll catch more and more, and the progress will add up.
Once you identify a limiting belief – such as “I’m not lovable” – you can start to change it by looking for evidence to support the opposite belief.
You may see small mistakes as evidence that you’re unworthy. You may interpret your challenges as proof that you’re incompetent. Neither of these things are true, and you don’t have to believe them.
Byron Katie said “It’s not your job to like me. It’s mine.” There’s a difference between depending on people for support and depending on them for self-esteem.
We need you out here in the world; don’t cheat us of your gifts by getting stuck in low self-esteem.
Healthy self-esteem requires self-understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness, plus large doses of self-compassion. It needs ongoing vigilance and upkeep until you’ve formed healthier habits of self-esteem.
Self-esteem rises when you know you can trust yourself, when you trust your own instincts and intuition over the ideas of others, and when you’ve proven to yourself that you can face disappointment and frustration without becoming destabilised.
Take time to identify what matters most to you. Measure all your choices and actions against these core values, making sure they match up.