Cultivate extra self-confidence by choosing one item from your “strengths list” and honing it further until it turns into something you can be even more proud of. Actively direct your attention to creating the kind of experiences you want in life and becoming the person you want to be.
Write down an actual list, and refer to it often to remind yourself of your strengths. This might include your natural talents, your learned skills, your achievements, your dreams, and even your healthy relationships.
Mourn your mistakes fully, learn from them, and make amends where possible. Then forgive yourself, and let go of the past so that you can move forward, knowing you’ve done your best.
Shame vanishes when you receive support and understanding from others. We must stop trying to appear perfect by keeping our perceived flaws a secret and going it alone.
by TeenagersWithExperience
We asked ten of our fabulous members what their top tip is when it comes to being happy. Here is what they said.
We’re often afraid to show the messy, flawed, and vulnerable part of ourselves to others. It can be a tremendous relief when you do and someone accepts you just as you are.
by Ella @ TeenagersWithExperience
As teenagers living in a world filled with technology, you could say that we have a ludicrous standard of beauty that we feel we need to live up to. With the ability to look up anything anywhere at any time on our ‘phones, we are subliminally told how we should look and act by photos of models and celebrities who, of course, are stunning, but is it really healthy to be comparing ourselves to people who are ‘pretty’ for a living?
To heal yourself and to build up your self-esteem, take one step above being like those who’ve wronged you, by looking at yourself with compassion and understanding.
Low self-esteem can have many causes, none of which are your fault. A traumatic experience where you haven’t received the proper support, or you feel judged or blamed for the event, or you felt lonely and abandoned afterwards, can lower self-esteem.
For every one negative “fact” you’ve decided about yourself, there are other tens of positive facts about you. Choose what to notice about yourself, and value the strengths that you have.