Having confidence in yourself and maintaining a healthy self-esteem can become complicated in today’s society, full of extreme stereotypes, prejudices, and standards of physical and attitudinal perfection that people feel they must fully comply with.
However, even if it is somewhat difficult and takes time, improving your self-esteem and self-confidence is possible, and it is up to you to make an effort to achieve it. The following spiritual principles can help your self-love grow and flourish.
1. Practice forgiveness and compassion.
Forgiving and being compassionate is very important to maintain internal peace and avoid carrying ballasts of hate and resentment, which only harm you. And this does not only refer to others, but also to yourself. Many times you can be your worst judge and you can become harsh and hurtful with yourself.
So, in order to grow and strengthen your self-esteem and self-confidence, it is very important that you forgive yourself when you make mistakes and that you learn to be compassionate and patient with yourself.
2. Control your inner critic
Hand in hand with the previous point, sometimes your internal critic becomes your worst enemy, because he is never satisfied with what you do and is always afraid that you will fail when trying something.
When that critic’s voice comes up, which is ultimately yourself, do your best to counter their criticism with loving, positive self-talk. Strive to convince yourself of the opposite of what that voice tells you: trust yourself, your abilities, recognize your achievements and learn to believe in your strengths.
3. Learn to be vulnerable
You may think that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness, but it is not, it is part of your nature as a human being. When you are vulnerable, you recognize and accept it, you become capable of being more empathetic with others and, very importantly, with yourself.
Put aside the armor of an unbeatable and immutable person. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and don’t pretend that everything is always fine. Give yourself permission to be sad, angry and frustrated; just don’t hang there. Let off steam and let those emotions release. If you need help, look for it in the people who love you and in whom you trust.
4. Inspire others
How do you feel when someone congratulates you on your achievements or when they let you know the good they see in you? Surely very well, right? So why not become that person who makes someone else’s day better?
Begins to be kinder, compassionate and empathetic towards others. Recognize their achievements and virtues and let them know the positive that is in them. By doing so you will realize that empowering others is a way of empowering yourself and that makes this practice a virtuous circle full of positive energy.
5. Acknowledge and approve of yourself
As already said, many times you yourself are your own judge and your worst enemy, you get in the way and sabotage your goals. Many times this happens when your inner critic cares more about what others think or say about you. This only makes your insecurities and fears grow.
Stop worrying about what others think of you or your way of life, and better dedicate yourself to leading your life on the path that makes you happy and being consistent between what you think, say and do. As long as you are fine with the way you are and live, and as long as what you do or say does not affect anyone, the only approval you need and that should matter to you is yours.
6. Stop comparing yourself to others
Each person has their own rhythm and their own time for things to happen in their own way. So stop wasting time and energy comparing your life to others. It doesn’t matter if that person already has her car or house, if someone else is already married and has children, if someone else travels constantly, or anything else.
Better sincerely rejoice in the achievements of those people and focus on what you want to achieve in your life. Everyone’s happiness is not in the same things. Find what makes you feel fulfilled and focus on it; and while you achieve it, don’t forget to thank for everything you already have and for the goals you have achieved.
7. Learn to take risks wisely
The straight path may be the easiest and most comfortable, but it is not always the best. If you feel good in it, go ahead, but if it makes you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to take a turn and go off the beaten path. But it is not about taking meaningless risks, but only those that are worth it and that do not put your integrity or your happiness at risk.
Dare to get out of your comfort zone to head to the growth zone. It is not necessary that you make drastic changes from one day to the next, it is worth starting with a simple one, such as changing your route when you return home, watching a movie from a different genre than the ones you usually choose, learning something new or going to some place you’ve never been before. Trying different things helps you grow and increase your confidence.
8. Be yourself, even if others do not understand you
When you do or stop doing things just to please others or to avoid their criticism, you threaten yourself, your well-being and happiness.
When your self-confidence starts to grow, you realize that you don’t need to please anyone but yourself. So it’s time to take charge of your life and take it along the path you choose, even if others don’t understand it, even if they criticize it and disagree.
9. Be great for who you are, not for how you look.
To be someone great, you don’t need to fit into established beauty stereotypes, or wear clothes or accessories from expensive brands, or have the car or cell phone of the year. To be someone great, what you need is to work on your personality and the attitude with which you face life.
Many times those ostentatious material things only serve to mask your insecurities. So you better start being authentic and wear what you like and make you feel good and comfortable, not what is going to impress others the most.
10. Surround yourself with safe people
Insecure people attract insecure people and their conversations usually revolve around their dramas and misfortunes, plus everything between them is a constant complaint.
Get out of that circle and seek to surround yourself with positive, confident people with high vibrations, because all of this is contagious and their good vibes can help you in the process you are in to improve your self-esteem.