Invite in feelings of low self-confidence, the feelings that others are better than you, to sit next to you as if you are sitting together on a park bench. Welcome the feelings by giving them some tea and coffee, too!
By allowing negative feelings to be there, rather than resisting them and pushing them away, you enable yourself to move through it and then move on.
Self-love is vital to our overall well-being, but it’s not always easy to maintain when our confidence takes a hit. Whether it’s due to personal setbacks, external criticism, or comparison to others, there are ways to nurture self-love even when your confidence is low.
In this blog, we’ll explore strategies to help you–or your child–embrace and appreciate yourself during challenging times.
As you look for support in your life, BLOOM can be used in conjunction with 1:1 therapy by integrating it into your home and family life. Maximize the benefits of therapy by using BLOOM alone or as an extention of 1:1 therapy, all from the comfort of your home. Our courses, Anxiety, Self-Confidence, and Sensory Processing, will support you as you navigate low self-confidence.
10 Ways to Practice Self-Love
When you are ready to move on from low confidence and anxiety and you’ve tried other self-help techniques, we recommend following these strategies.
It can be hard to move on to the positive until you have invited in your inferior feelings and fully processed them.
- Practice Self-Compassion:
Start by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a friend going through a tough period. Self-compassion involves acknowledging your struggles without self-criticism and understanding that it's okay not to be perfect. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Positive Self-Talk:
Monitor your internal dialogue. Replace self-deprecating thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths, achievements, and the value you bring to your own life and the lives of others. Over time, these affirmations can help rewire your thought patterns.
- Surround Yourself with Positivity:
Limit exposure to negative influences, including people who bring you down or critical media content. Seek supportive friends and engage with uplifting and inspiring content that encourages self-love.
- Focus on Self-Care:
Self-love and self-care go hand in hand. Prioritize activities that make you feel good about yourself, whether through exercise, meditation, art, or any hobby that brings you joy. Taking care of your physical and mental health can significantly boost your confidence.
- Set Realistic Goals:
Break down larger objectives into manageable steps. When you achieve these smaller goals, you'll build a sense of accomplishment and gradually rebuild your self-esteem. This sense of achievement can help boost your self-love.
- Accept Imperfections:
Embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you unique. Remember that no one is flawless, and our flaws are what make us human. It's okay to have weaknesses and limitations.
- Seek Professional Help:
If your low confidence is affecting your mental health or daily life, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance and tools to help you rebuild your self-esteem and self-love.
- Gratitude Journal:
Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life. Regularly listing things you're thankful for can help shift your focus from what you lack to what you have, promoting self-love.
- Forgive Yourself:
Mistakes and failures are a part of life. Forgive yourself for past errors and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. Holding onto guilt or regret can hinder self-love.
- Visualize Your Ideal Self:
Imagine the best version of yourself and what it would look like. Then, work towards that vision step by step. Visualizing your ideal self can provide motivation and boost your confidence over time.
The Importance of Self-Love
Loving yourself when your confidence is low is a journey that takes time and effort. It requires self-compassion, positive self-talk, and a commitment to self-care. By practicing these strategies and seeking support when needed, you can rebuild your self-esteem and embrace the incredible, unique individual that you are. Remember, self-love is not a destination but an ongoing process that deserves your attention and care.
Seeking support in your life can take many forms. The beauty of BLOOM’s online courses is that they can be used alongside 1:1 therapy, offering the opportunity to integrate our techniques into your home and family life. Discover our courses, Anxiety, Self-Confidence, and Sensory Processing, on your journey to overcoming low self-confidence and achieving self-love.
