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Tag: confidence

  • How to Be Body Positive: Five Things to Stop Telling Yourself

    How to Be Body Positive: Five Things to Stop Telling Yourself

    When it comes to self-esteem, one of the biggest hurdles is body image. Unfortunately this issue is difficult because it comes from within. Here are five things to stop saying to yourself right now:

                 Being overweight or underweight is unhealthy and promotes bad eating habits.

     We’ve all heard the concerned friend say something derogatory about weight, followed by “…but I’m just worried about your health.” They couch insults in concern for your well-being. However, health and weight are two separate issues. It’s true that being extremely over or under weight can lead to certain health conditions, but unless they’re your doctor, an outsider cannot determine your health by your appearance alone. Begin to separate health and weight in your own mind.

                 How I look is more important than anything else.

    As they say, beauty is only skin deep. Our society is wrapped up in the idea that appearance matters more than character. We have turned being beautiful into a contest, where the rules of what IS beauty change unpredictably. There’s more to you than what you see in the mirror. Make a list of all the wonderful qualities you have that are not visible. Post it where you can see it. Talk about an ego boost!

                 Advertising campaigns are looking out for my best interests.

    Companies spend millions of dollars on advertising campaigns. The commercials might look like they’re solving your problems, but their one goal is to make you buy their product. End of story. Where would the weight loss industry be if people quit believing the advertisements? When you think critically about the advertisements that you see every day, you can begin to make better choices for YOU, and not for what THEY think you should be.

                 Hating how I look will motivate me to work harder.

    Shaming yourself or others about how they look will never be a positive motivating factor for them to change. Feeling bad about yourself tends to lead to damaging behaviours, depression and worse. We always take better care of something that we love and care about, so change self-talk to caring words. It will make a big difference in how easy it will be to make healthy choices.

    When I finally look perfect, I will be happy!

    Again, outward appearance is a separate entity from emotions. Deciding to be happy NOW will boost your mood, elevate your confidence and make it easier to make healthy loving choices for your body. Think of two people, one with a permanent scowl, and the other with a cheery disposition. Knowing nothing else about how they look, which one will be more attractive to you? I bet you said the one with the smile.

    Being happy and healthy are choices that are in your control. You can’t control how others perceive you, but you can choose every single day to be cheerful, and to make healthy choices. I suggest thebodypositive.org or bigbeautifulwellness.com for more resources.

    Stay amazing!

  • The Road to Self-Acceptance

    The Road to Self-Acceptance

    How’s your self-esteem doing? If you’re like me, you tend to see the best in others—and the absolute worst in yourself. Self-acceptance can be a difficult concept to wrap your head around when you’re constantly beating yourself up for every little mistake. There’s good news, though; you aren’t alone by a long shot. By considering your lapses in self-acceptance, you might start to find that the people around you are in the exact same predicament.

    Maybe you’re hung up over your poor marks in Spanish, or you think you look “fat” today. Maybe you couldn’t run the ten-minute mile, or your shirt doesn’t match your shoes. Well, odds are – and it’s kind of funny if you think about it – the people around you probably won’t even notice. It’s not that people don’t care. But did you ever stop to wonder that you aren’t the only one who’s preoccupied with your own flaws? Just as you can’t stop thinking about what you’ve done wrong, the people around you are too busy wrapped up in their own shortcomings to really identify yours. Here’s what ends up happening: each individual person sees themselves as the odd one out, when in actuality, everyone is in the same boat.

    You’ve probably heard the (albeit cliché) phrase, “Nobody’s perfect.” Everyone has flaws, weaknesses, spots for improvement—but there’s no need to focus on those. The next time you find yourself hung up over your lesser traits, try redirecting your thoughts to something you actually like about yourself. “Maybe I’m not great at sports, but I have straight A’s in math.” “Maybe I’m a little shy, but I’m excellent at reading people.” It is important to acknowledge your shortcomings, but it is much more important to remember all the great things you have to offer. And when you’re trying out this little mental compromise, your good traits should always win out.

    You must realize, by this point, how damaging it is to sell yourself short. Time passes, things change, life goes on—basically, you are the only constant force in your life. Why not respect yourself for who you are? It’s normal to feel conflicted at times, but you should never feel like you don’t matter, and by obsessing over every little flaw, you’re doing yourself a serious disservice. The next time something goes wrong, instead of attacking yourself, focus on what you’re doing right. If you start to wean yourself off self-criticism, slowly but surely, those negative feelings will start to go away.

    As for myself? Well, I’m a work-in-progress too. But I know that I deserve more than to be constantly criticized and mistreated – even if it’s coming from my own head. The road to self-acceptance is a rewarding process, and in order to become stronger people we all have to overcome our insecurities. The self-hate stops now.

  • Be True to You

    Be True to You

    Each and every single one of us has a unique set of values, beliefs, and even inspirations that make us who we are as individuals. Naturally, as we progress through life, these very important elements that lie at the very core of our existence will slightly alter and adjust in a manner to allow for the new experiences and situations that we have endured. Life is much like a sea… at one time; we may drift peacefully and quietly atop the glistening waters. Then, there will be situations in which we must work to keep ourselves afloat waters that are ferocious and ominous in nature.

    Yes, it is true, there will be treacherous waters and frightening and intimidating clouds that linger among us throughout life, but it is essential that we each realize the importance of being true to ourselves. Is it not true that in the roughest of seas men learn to survive? Is it not among the violent waves that men learn to welcome and appreciate the calm surfaces of the water? Is it not true that when men face the evil of the storm that they relish in the calm that occurs after the thunders and treacherous waves have passed? If you are searching for the importance of being true to yourself, consider the man that was consumed by something much larger than he.

    In order to be true to yourself in the midst of peace and calmness, you must stand firm in your beliefs when staring opposition in the face. This is what assists in developing who you are, this is what defines you… your ability to overcome and learn.

    Many times in life, we will be faced with temptations that may defy who we are as individuals. It is so much easier to go with the natural flow of the tide than to push against it. It is human nature to want to experience as little complications as possible. What you must consider is if you are denying yourself of some important lesson, of something much bigger than you or you ever imagined. If floating with the direction of the tide defies you as an individual, and you feel as if you will not gain any type of insight as to who you are, or it does not allow you to stand alongside of your personal beliefs and convictions, turn that boat around and push with all of your might against the tide.

    It is better for a man to be true to who he is, rather than deny himself of all the rewards he will experience as standing alone in his personal convictions and beliefs.

    Being true to yourself is a very rewarding experience. Many experiences and situations will come your way and threaten the very existence of your unique stand in life. We pass over many different waves in life, many ships come in, and many ships pass us by. In many cases, animals of the wild such as sharks will want to engulf us in order to define their existence. Stormy skies will sometimes linger over us, and violent wars sometimes rest on the banks of life. In all of these things, you must stand strong in who you are. Allowing these situations to overcome you, violate you, and even control you in any way, just may be the point in which you lose sight of the horizon, sight of who you truly are.

  • Feel Good About Yourself

    Feel Good About Yourself

    Imagine for a second a world where you truly believe you can do anything; where the words “I can’t” no longer exist as part of your vocabulary. A place where you are as great as you always dreamed you could be. Now imagine that as your reality. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

    Here’s a few tips on how to feel good about yourself every single day!

    –Discover yourself: Get to know you. Listen to what you are thinking and feeling. Know what you want and why you want it. If it helps, keep a journal to help you understand yourself better.

    –Make a list every day: On the list write at least three things you really like about yourself. For instance, “I like how I can make people laugh even in uncomfortable situations” or “I like my eye colour.” It can be absolutely anything you like about yourself. This will help remind you why it’s great being you.

    –Remove the word can’t: Stop saying “I can’t do that” before you even try. Fear of failure is common and sadly it prevents most of us from doing things we’ve always wanted to do. To overcome this, think positively – don’t think of the worst possible scenario. Picture yourself succeeding. Some of the greatest experiences you will have in this life will come from overcoming things you thought you couldn’t do.

    –Treat others the way you want to be treated: It’s karma, baby; the idea you get back what you send out into the world. So send out the good, and always remember to treat others fairly and kindly.

    –Be prepared: One of the best ways to improve your self-confidence is by being prepared. Whether it’s a test you need to study for or a big basketball game coming up, make sure you are ready. Stop putting stuff off and get to it. You will feel more confident if you are ready to face what’s ahead.

    –Be grateful: Don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Be thankful for all you do have.

    –Exercise: It’s a great way to immediately boost your mood. It also helps in the long term to boost self-confidence. You will be healthier, happier and more sure of yourself.

    –Listen to your favorite song: Nothing gives me an instant boost of confidence and energy, especially in the morning, as my favorite song. It really helps me have the right attitude to face the day with.

    The most important thing to remember is to think positively. If you believe you are good enough, the world will see you that way.

  • Confidence Boosting Tips

    Confidence Boosting Tips

    Imagine for a second a world where you truly believe you can do anything; where the words “I can’t” no longer exist as part of your vocabulary. A place where you are as great as you always dreamed you could be. Now imagine that as your reality. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

    As great as it sounds, many of us have a hard time when it comes to self-confidence and self-esteem. Maybe it’s because from an early age we are taught not to “toot our own horn” too much or we will seem arrogant or egotistical. Doctor Bobbe Sommers, a world-renowned psychologist, said, “Having a low opinion of yourself is not ‘modesty’. It’s self-destruction. Holding your uniqueness in high regard is not ‘egotism’. It’s a necessary precondition to happiness and success.”

    But what does that mean and how do we hold our uniqueness in high regard?

    I have compiled a list of confidence boosting tips that may help you gain the happiness and success you want from life.

    –Discover yourself: Get to know you. Listen to what you are thinking and feeling. Know what you want and why you want it. If it helps, keep a journal to help you understand yourself better.

    –Make a list every day: On the list write at least three things you really like about yourself. For instance, “I like how I can make people laugh even in uncomfortable situations” or “I like my eye colour.” It can be absolutely anything you like about yourself. This will help remind you why it’s great being you.

    –“Dress for the job you want, not the one you have”: This may be an old cliché, but it’s stuck around for a reason. One of the best ways to feel good about yourself and to boost your self-confidence is to look good. Have a shower, do your hair, brush your teeth, wear nice clean clothes and comfy shoes and head out in the world with your head held high. This will surely get you noticed and get people to take you seriously.

    –Remove the word can’t: Stop saying “I can’t do that” before you even try. Fear of failure is common and sadly it prevents most of us from doing things we’ve always wanted to do. To overcome this, think positively – don’t think of the worst possible scenario. Picture yourself succeeding. Some of the greatest experiences you will have in this life will come from overcoming things you thought you couldn’t do.

    –Treat others the way you want to be treated: It’s karma, baby; the idea you get back what you send out into the world. So send out the good, and always remember to treat others fairly and kindly.

    –Be prepared: One of the best ways to improve your self-confidence is by being prepared. Whether it’s a test you need to study for, a university application you need to complete or a big basketball game coming up, make sure you are ready. Stop putting stuff off and get to it already. You will feel more confident if you are ready to face what’s ahead.

    –Be grateful: Don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Be thankful for all you do have.

    –Exercise: It’s a great way to immediately boost your mood. It also helps in the long term to boost self-confidence. You will be healthier, happier and more sure of yourself.

    –Listen to your favorite song: Nothing gives me an instant boost of confidence and energy, especially in the morning, as my favorite song. It really helps me have the right attitude to face the day with.

    The most important thing to remember is to think positively. If you believe you are good enough, the world will see you that way.

  • It’s Only Hard Until It’s Not

    It’s Only Hard Until It’s Not

    Walking, tying your shoes, reading, riding a bike, solving equations…they all seem hard to do at first. But suddenly, one day – it’s not.

    We generally enjoy doing things we are good at because they are easiest. But when it comes to post-secondary education, this would be the wrong mentality to have. College is not easy and requires a lot of dedication. Be sure to pick a course you’re passionate about, but don’t be discouraged if it gets hard. You’re definitely not the only one feeling that way! There IS help. Find out what services your school offers and use them. Most schools have tutors, counselors and other friendly staff who are there to help you succeed.

    Do not let the difficulty of a particular course effect you personally. Accept that it will be hard and devote yourself to getting through it. Remember – no program is made to be impossible. The best part of learning is surprising yourself about how much you can do. The more you do it, the easier it will become. Giving up is easy, but generally the easy choice is never the right one.

    Never say you can’t do anything. The ones who quit so easily without giving it their all are the ones who never really intended to stay. If you are someone with low self-confidence, try saying or writing down some daily affirmations. It may seem silly, but there’s magic in it. Say, “I am strong enough, I am smart enough, I can do it,” over and over again. Looking into the mirror is the best way to do your affirmations because you are confronting yourself. Motivational speaker Tony Robbins said, “People who fail focus on what they will have to go through; people who succeed focus on what it will feel like at the end.” This is what you should focus on, not the obstacles. Think back at other goals you have never accomplished; goals you had set for yourself a year of more ago but gave up on. Now think about what you could have accomplished had you not given up on that goal. Before you submit your application to the program of your choice, go see a counselor and talk to them about it. They know what the courses consist of and can help you make the right decision for you.

    It’s your life, it’s your time, it’s your future!