By Erika Taylor
When self-care becomes a part of your daily routine, you’re telling yourself:
"I am worth it, I deserve attention, I value my well-being"
In so doing, shifting your thoughts and mindset to ground yourself in self-worth, inviting a more meaningful life.
Why is cultivating your
self-worth valuable?
- You will be motivated to follow a lifestyle that prioritises your mind, body and spirit.
- When you're confident about who you are and you respect yourself, you won’t be pre-occupied with seeking external
validation.
@priyankachopra
- You will love and appreciate yourself making it easier to love and appreciate others and clearly understand how you want others to treat you.
- You will start enjoying your own company and spending time on self-care, self-reflection and your own aspirations.
- Your dreams and aspirations become a priority to you and you can talk freely about them to others without fearing judgment.
Here are 5 steps to get you started
on your self-worth journey:
Step 1: Become An Observer of Your Thoughts and Actions
Observe your thoughts and actions - do they cultivate self-worth? You can start by asking yourself some of these questions to shift towards cultivating your self-worth:
What do I love about myself?
What can I do everyday to begin practicing self-care?
What brings me joy?
What types of people and situations drain me? How can I create healthy boundaries in these relationships and situations?
Do I seek validation from others?
Do I often dwell on past mistakes and failures? What were the lessons learnt and have I forgiven myself?
Am I living an authentic life. What are my dreams and aspirations for my life?
Thinking about these questions and answering them, can bring you closer to discovering your self-worth. It is worthwhile to keep a journal to make notes as you progress toward building your self-worth.
Step 2: Forgive yourself
Sometimes, mistakes may make you question your abilities and create inner conflict. As you work towards discovering your self-worth acknowledge your failures as life's lessons and learn to forgive yourself.
Step 3: Keep Your Inner Dialogue Positive and Motivating.
Work on your self-love by not being overcritical of yourself. Adopt a growth mindset when you experience set-backs. Accept that you can learn from your set-backs as you move toward bigger and better opportunities.
Step 4: Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries and learning to say no to family, friends or work colleagues requires concerted effort. This step is especially important if you are a 'people pleaser' to safeguard and restore your mental and physical health by prioritising your own emotions, time, energy and aspirations.
Step 5: Surround Yourself with Supportive and Like-Minded People
Make sure your circle consists of people who are supportive. You can support each other on this lifelong adventure, and it can be fun and relaxing to spend time with supportive people who are part of your self-worth journey.
You know you have healthy self-worth when you no longer seek constant validation from the external world. External events and people don’t influence your thoughts and emotions as much as they would have in the past. When you are grounded in your self-worth you can make better lifestyle choices, choose relationships that are best for you and live a life that holds meaning for you. Practicing self-care is a vital part of improving your self-worth. When you prioritise yourself through self-care, it helps cultivate a stronger self-worth. Ultimately, practicing self-care daily isn’t selfish, but a crucial part of investing in your self-worth and nurturing your overall well-being.