Ways to Encourage Yourself
I'm sorry that you are in a bad situation right now. Can I share with you some ways I use to encourage myself when I'm down? I hope you will use these suggestions to come up with even more ways to encourage yourself. Why? Because being your own best friend in the world is a lot of fun!
- Keep a diary or journal - We all need someone to share our most intimate thoughts and feelings with. It helps that a diary or journal can't talk and interrupt you. And that it never judges you. It just stays where you put it and allows you to write or draw on it. Writing in a diary or journal is the way I use most to encourage myself. If I were stranded on a deserted island, I'd write in the sand to encourage myself! So if you don't keep a diary or journal yet, I highly recommend it. It could change your life too.
- Read books that identify with your present situation - Good examples are autobiographies of someone who inspires you. As well as books written by someone who does the same work as you. Reading such books remind you how everyone goes through tough times. And that things do get better eventually. Just hang in there awhile more.
- Watch a movie that inspires you - If you can't think of a movie title to watch, start your search using your favorite actor or actresses' name. I love classic movies so my favorite actresses include: Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.
- Say encouraging words to yourself - Over the years, I've come to accept that what I say to myself is very important. Because even if I can find a way to shut everyone else out, there's no way I can ever truly run away from myself. Since I spend every moment with me, isn't it better to speak kindly to me?
- Create posters and display them in your private spaces - I put posters in my bedroom and my toilet too. It helps to see that I love myself enough to write these words to encourage myself. Hence, I highly recommend you use this suggestion as one of the ways to encourage yourself.
- Write down your blessing - No matter how bad things are, you are still here. And maybe you've forgotten, but you might even have been through worse before and still prevailed. Encouraging yourself so you can feel better is a lot about shifting your attention into a new space of being. And the one way that never fails is to write down your blessings. It makes a big difference when you record your thoughts and re-read them. Doing so gives yourself a new perspective. And you may be pleasantly surprised by what you have written too! What if your list of blessings is short? Is now the time you can decide to create and generate even more blessings for yourself from now on?
- Share your feelings with someone who won't judge you - I've learnt from experience to be careful whom I share my secrets with. When you are down in the dumps, the last thing you need is for someone to tell you what a bad job you are doing with your life. Or reminding you of all the "bad" decisions you've made in the past. Choose your friends wisely and be willing to let go of friendships that hurt you. Having the courage to do so is already a huge step towards encouraging and loving yourself more.
- Start collecting photos that remind you of happy times - One thing I love about Facebook is that I have a collection of happy photos there. I used to collect other items like ticket stubs and gifts from friends. But nowadays, I like how easy it is to access photos on the Internet. I can quickly be reminded of happy times as long as I have Internet access.
- List down the things you like about yourself and contemplate them - When you're feeling lousy about yourself, it can be a huge effort to look for the qualities you like about yourself. Which is why it's so important to write them down. So you can refer to your list when you forget what a gift and miracle you are! (Ironically, it's the times when you need to encourage yourself, that you forget how amazing you are.) So keep that list close by if you can. Store it in your mobile phone or your wallet. You never know when it may come in handy.
- Be spiritual - When all else fails, it's time to connect with a Higher Power. For me, it's the faith that there must be something bigger than me that has kept me going in the worst of times. So I highly recommend you use this way to encourage yourself daily.
