There are a lot of damaging behaviors we subconsciously keep repeating that absolutely destroy our self-confidence. Here are some of them, and how you can turn them around and learn how to love yourself more.
You don’t believe in yourself
Your thoughts are much more powerful than you believe. They significantly influence your overall mood and your sense of self-worth. If you keep telling yourself that you don’t deserve that promotion at your job that you’ve been wanting for a while, you won’t be able to reach for more and ask for what you rightfully deserve. Your thoughts shape your reality and they have a great impact on your self-confidence. Try practicing self-love more. Whether you choose to journal, meditate, listen to positive affirmations, or just practice saying kind things to yourself in the mirror every day in the morning, start believing in yourself more and see how your self-confidence skyrockets.
You don’t own your unique self
Even though it can be fun to be inspired by other people and explore different styles, at the end of the day, nothing gives you a bigger confidence boost than you being authentically yourself. Whether it’s music, clothing style, makeup, or something else, find something that inspires you and makes you feel good about yourself. Own your authentic and unique self and cherish the differences you bring into this world.
You care too much what other people think
Wanting to be liked by others comes naturally. You can’t fully neglect it. However, once you start valuing other people’s opinion over your own, it can crush your confidence. Acknowledge the beauty of different opinions, but make sure you know that just because something you do or how you look is not liked by others, it doesn’t mean you’re not valuable.
You compare yourself with others
Remember that someone else’s beauty or success doesn’t and shouldn’t belittle your own. The beauty is in the uniqueness that every person brings into this world. Once you learn how to cherish your own unique self and stop comparing yourself with others, you will truly learn how to appreciate and love yourself.
You surround yourself with negativity
The people you surround yourself with can also have a huge impact on your self-confidence and overall self-image. If you surround yourself with negative people who can’t seem to be happy for you when you succeed, you will soon start believing that you don’t deserve the success you’re gaining. Just remember that people project their own insecurities and fears of failures on others without even realising it. However, it’s not your job to “fix them”. Instead, surround yourself with people who love to see you happy and successful and are also there for you when you’re at your lowest.
You don’t get enough sleep
This fast-paced world that we live in makes us have very unhealthy lives. We’re always in a rush, our sleep schedule is terrible, and we eat fast food that we have enough time to grab on our way to work, and so on. You need to listen to your body’s needs and get enough rest when you’re tired. Getting enough sleep will make you feel fresh and ready to take on a new day. Feeling freshened up will instantly get you in a better mood and you’ll feel better about yourself.
You neglect the importance of good oral hygiene
A lot of people forget about how big of an impact good oral hygiene can have on their self-confidence. Being able to smile brightly with the most beautiful pearly-white smile will make you want to smile all day long. For that reason, make sure to brush your teeth regularly and correctly and if needed use Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth. In addition to that, don’t forget to get regular check-ups at the dentist to make sure your teeth are healthy and strong. Professionals are always there to provide you with high-quality treatment that you need in order to keep your teeth healthy and in the best possible condition.
You criticize yourself relentlessly
We all need to be open to ourselves and admit when we’re wrong. A healthy amount of self-criticism is always needed if we want to keep improving ourselves. However, if you overdo it, you can end up crushing your self-confidence. You don’t need to point out every little flaw you have or every tiny mistake you make. It’s a part of being human to be imperfect and make mistakes. Cut yourself some slack and start loving the perfectly imperfect person that you are. That’s what makes you unique and lovable.
You don’t let yourself speak up
Don’t make yourself small to leave room for others to treat you badly. Speaking up for yourself is the first step towards becoming an unapologetic and unique you. You need to be aware of the fact that your voice matters too and it deserves to be heard. It takes a lot of courage, but once you break the ice you will never go back to how it once used to be. Own up to your opinions and say them loudly for everyone to hear. You will truly feel empowered and confident once you start practicing this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, don’t be hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect. Once you learn to love both your flaws and virtues, you will gain the self-confidence you need to be the best version of you.
