Last year was tough. But despite it all, you survived it! Over the past two years, we have been through so much that has truly affected both our mental and physical well-being. Therefore, to begin the new year, I wanted to make a blog that focused on prioritizing ourselves. There are countless things that can be appreciated on a daily basis. For example, the clothes on your back or the friends and family with which you surround yourself. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is ourselves. While it is important to be grateful for everything that we have, it is also important to show appreciation towards ourselves and all the things we are capable of doing. Therefore, in this blog, let’s talk about some ways that you can truly appreciate and reward yourself.
Why is self-appreciation crucial?
Self-appreciation allows us to improve the perception we have of ourselves. By doing so, we can increase our confidence, self-esteem and so much more. However, appreciating and respecting ourselves doesn’t just affect our view of ourselves, it can drastically impact our lives. It gives us the ability to hold ourselves taller, to achieve better results in all aspects of our lives and most importantly, to be a better friend, sibling, cousin and more! Therefore, taking the steps to appreciate yourself can truly make a difference in all aspects of your life. Now, let’s cover some ways that you can appreciate yourself more!
1. Be accepting
I have covered this in a previous blog. However, acceptance is an important skill to learn. There will always be a time where we may feel pressure to succeed or to meet the standards that somebody has set out for us. However, acknowledging and accepting ourselves and the work that we have done is crucial. Oftentimes, if we cannot accept ourselves and our accomplishments, we will begin to seek acceptance from others. This will almost always lead to disappointment, frustration and more due to the unattainable standards that someone else predetermines for you. Therefore, accepting yourselves and the version of yourself staring back at you in the mirror is crucial for self-appreciation.
2. Surround yourself with the right people
I cannot stress this enough, but surrounding yourself with people who motivate you and inspire you to be your best self is crucial. The people you surround yourself with truly have an impact on your thoughts, your actions and so much more. Therefore, finding the right people is vital in changing the way you perceive yourself.
3. Invest in yourself
Another important aspect of appreciating yourself is investing time into your health and well being. Eating foods that nourish not only your body, but your soul and working out in any way that you like, is crucial. Putting time into these things will build the appreciation and respect you have for your body and all of the things it allows you to do.
4. Be positive
Whether you are faced with adversity or simply trying to motivate yourself, it is crucial to remain optimistic. One part of appreciating yourself is being your greatest supporter. Therefore, no matter the situation, you have to encourage yourself and practice positive self-talk. By doing so, you will have a positive outlook and will only grow your self-confidence.Â
5. Take breaks
Life can be stressful or frustrating at times. Therefore, it is important to give yourself a break. While it is important to push yourself, it is just as important to give your body time to rest. This can mean giving yourself a self care day or simply getting a full night’s sleep. Regardless, these breaks will allow you to appreciate yourself and ultimately, improve your performance in many aspects of your life.Â
6. Reward yourself
Another significant part of self-appreciation is rewarding yourself. Whether it is a big achievement or a smaller one, rewarding yourself will help you acknowledge the hard work you have done and motivate you to keep going. Rewarding yourself can be done in countless ways. For example, my favorite way is to buy a new book that I can enjoy reading! Regardless of the way you choose, rewarding yourself is a crucial aspect of self-appreciation.Â
That’s it! These were a few tips that you can utilize this new year to build your self-appreciation. I truly hope that these tips helped remind you to appreciate yourself and all that you care capable of!
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