The most important relationship you have is with yourself. It's true! Learning to love yourself and treat yourself with care and respect is the most important thing you will ever do. Here, we share ways to recognise your worth. We give tips for being kind to yourself. We celebrate you.
The world often tells us we are not good enough. It's not true. Having a loving and kind relationship with ourselves sets us free to live well.
Believing in yourself is not the same as having a big ego. It doesn't mean you think you are better than others.
Loving yourself helps you:
You’re a wonderful human, worthy of love and respect. Tell yourself, "I'm amazing!" It's the truth.
Often, we feel good when we do well. It could be:
These things feel good but you should love yourself just because you are you.
Celebrate your skills, talents, opinions, and experiences but remember you don't have to be perfect to be worthy of love and happiness. You deserve these things simply because you're you. You're amazing, just as you are!
No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone faces challenges.
When times are tough, treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would give a friend.
Tell yourself:
Don't talk to yourself in a mean way. Encourage yourself instead.
Many of us talk to ourselves in ways that we would never talk to friends. We think things like:
These thoughts make us feel less confident and less loved.
Say kind things to yourself instead. If you think, "I'm not good enough," say, "I am worthy and capable."
Learn to say no when necessary. When we set boundaries, we tell people what we won't do or won't accept from others. Setting boundaries shows that we respect ourselves. It shows that our needs and limits matter. When you set a boundary, you give yourself the chance to feel good and do well in life.
Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you. Healthy relationships make you feel you belong. They help you remember that you matter. In contrast, unhealthy relationships make you less confident.
Think about your social circle. Does it make you feel:
Spend time with friends, family and supporters who help you grow and feel good about yourself.
Celebrate your achievements, regardless of their size. Recognise efforts like when you:
You'll feel proud and grateful.
Keep learning. Keep working on yourself. Set and achieve personal goals. It could be about your career, hobbies, or relationships.
Getting things done helps you feel proud. It gives life meaning. You develop skills and learn more about yourself. It helps you feel confident.
Look after your mind and body. Do things that make you feel good. It brings:
When you care for yourself, you teach yourself that you're worthy of care. It's an important message.
If you face challenges you can't manage on your own, therapists and counsellors can help. They can give you tools to improve your relationship with yourself. For example, if you often put yourself down, they can help you understand why. They can help you change, so that you treat yourself kindly.
No one is perfect. Embrace the things you don't like about yourself. They are part of who you are. We all fail sometimes. We all make mistakes. When we face challenges, we can grow and learn. There is beauty in being imperfect.
It's normal to need support and care after experiencing violence or abuse. Support can help you heal and live a full and joyful life. Many people need time to regain confidence and independence after hard times. Taking extra special care of yourself can help. This section of Neve deals with recovery. It covers things like gaining financial independence and building self-confidence. We share self-care tips and advice about reconnecting to your community. We hope it will help you on your healing journey.
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